248 SYLVIADA. 
mandible deflected and notched. Nostrils basal, lateral, oval, pierced in a 
membrane, partly hid by feathers and hairs projecting from the base of the 
beak. Wings rounded ; the three exterior quills graduated ; the first only half 
as long as the second, which is shorter than the third ; the fourth, fifth, and 
sixth longer than the third ; the fifth the longest in the wing. Legs—the tarsus 
longer than the middle toe; the lateral toes nearly equal to each other in 
length ; the outer toe united at its base to the middle toe ; the claw of the hind 
toe longer and stronger than the others. 
Tue Repsreast is so generally distributed over the 
British Islands, and so universal a favourite, mixed up as 
it is with our earliest associations, that all are sufficiently 
interested in the bird to make themselves acquainted with 
its habits. ‘These may be observed either in the wood, 
the field, or the garden, since there is scarcely a hedge 
without its Redbreasted inhabitant : and if Robins appear 
to be more numerous in winter than in summer, it is partly 
owing to the state of vegetation at the former season, 
which leaves them more exposed to observation, and partly 
because they resort to the habitations of man for food as 
they find it decline in quantity elsewhere. During sum- 
mer they feed indiscriminately on earthworms, various 
insects in their different states, fruit, and berries. In 
winter every country-house has its attendant pensioner, 
who requires but little invitation to become an in-door 
guest. Thomson has most truly described the half-confi- 
dent, half&doubtful manner of the Robin when he ven- 
tures to enter the cottage to pick up the proffered crumbs: 
“then, hopping o’er the floor, 
Eyes all the smiling family askance, 
And pecks, and starts, and wonders where he is.” 
The sprightly air of this species, the full dark eye and 
the sidelong turn of the head, give an appearance of saga- 
city and inquiry to their character, which, aided by their 
confidence, has gained them friends; and the Robin has 
