THE WORLD OF ANIMAL LIFE 



THE REDBREAST 



Who does not know the brisk little brown bird with the bright- 

 red breast, that comes to the window on cold frosty mornings when 

 snow is lying deep? This bird will even fly into our room if we only 

 generously court his friendship, and make friends with us in such a 

 way that his visits will be repeated year after year. Because of 



this friendly disposi- 

 tion the Redbreast, or 

 Robin, as he is more 

 commonly called, is one 

 of our prime favourites 

 amongthebirds. Hehas 

 domestic business in the 

 fields and woods of the 

 country all the spring 

 and summer, though 

 he sometimes builds his 

 nest and rears his off- 

 spring in our gardens. 

 But he is sure to return 

 in the late autumn, and 

 during the winter to 

 demand our generosity 

 and attention. He sings, too, in autumn, and even in winter on 

 a fine day when most other birds are mute, but this is no doubt 

 his expression of gratitude to his human friends. 



The Redbreast builds at the root of an old tree or in a bank 

 or old wall, often near a stream. Sometimes, too, he selects strange 

 sites for his home — an old plant-pot or can, for instance, or any such 

 cosy receptacle. The nest is very cleverly made of dead leaves 

 and moss, and lined with hair and feathers. The female lays five 

 or six eggs, which are white, prettily spotted with reddish-brown, 

 and sits on the nest carefully till the young are hatched. The male 

 meanwhile occupies a branch close by, and sings sweetly to her, or 

 busies himself by fetching food for her. 



Robin Redbreast 



