THE REDBREAST. 89 



the former, and by its not extending so far 

 into the head. 



During the Winter season, this bird is a 

 constant visitor at our residences, into which 

 it will frequently enter in search of food ; 

 no sooner, however, does the Spring com- 

 mence, than it retires to the woods, where 

 it chooses the most lonely places, into the 

 precincts of which it admits no other red- 

 breast, except its mate ; their food, in a state 

 of nature, consists of worms, insects^ ants, 

 ants' eggs, &c. 



The female generally builds in hedges, 

 or banks under the roots of trees, forming 

 her nest of coarse materials; the outside 

 being composed of dry moss, grass, twigs, 

 &c. and the inside or lining, of a few horse 

 hairs ; she lays from four to six eggs, of a 

 cream colour, sprinkled all over with reddish 

 yellow spots. 



In the beginning of May, the robin has 

 young ones fit to take, which is in ten or 

 twelve days after they are hatched, not 

 older, as they are apt to be sullen if you 

 let them remain in the nest longer than that 

 time. Keep them in a little basket, with some 



