The Bluethroat 



under parts whitish. In the female the whole of the under 

 parts are whitish with a brownish band across the chest. 

 The young in first plumage is not unlike a young Eedbreast, 

 but has bases of the tail feathers bay. Length 5 -3 in. ; 

 wing 2 -8 5 in. 



The name sueeica refers strictly to the red-spotted 

 form, the white-spotted form having been named wolfi by 

 C. L. Brehm in 1822. 



THE ROBIN 



Erithacus rubecula (Linnaeus) 



Of all our British birds, none perhaps has gained so 

 complete a hold upon our imaginations, and the more 

 sympathetic side of our nature, than our red-breasted friend. 

 He is a welcome guest" in every home in the kingdom, and 

 in turn acknowledges the compliment by trusting us as do 

 few of our native birds. It is in winter perhaps that we 

 know him best ; however cold and stormy the weather, he 

 always appears happy, cheerful, and sprightly, as he hops 

 along the garden path or seeks his breakfast at the dining- 

 room window, returning thanks by a brilliant but short 

 outburst of song from some neighbouring bush or walL 



He has only one fault, and that is extreme pugnacity — 

 other birds (not excluding that great bully the Sparrow) 

 live in awe of him and keep a respectful distance, but it is 

 a different matter with those of his own kind who are 

 always " spoiling for a fight." As soon as one has found 

 a good point of vantage, or, if he be not too hungry, some 



35 



