56 
SYLVIAD.E. 
nostrils nearly covered by hairs projecting forwards. The 
claws are very blunt, plainly indicating that it passes great 
part of its time upon the ground. 
The Redbreast is remarkable for its familiarity and con¬ 
fidence, its liveliness, and the beauty of its untiring song. 
Of all our small birds it is the most interesting; its en¬ 
chanting grace, its sociability and confiding dependence upon 
our good will, claim for it the first place in our affections, 
which, indeed, it generally obtains. In the qualities of its 
song some few birds may rank above it, such as the Night¬ 
ingale and Blackcap, but the Robin enlivens us at all seasons, 
not only in the height of summer, when all nature is joyful, 
but, in the most dreary and gloomy days of November and 
December, when other birds are mournful and silent, this 
sweet warbler may sometimes be heard to pour forth his 
plaintive melody, as if to bring more forcibly to our minds 
that he is the best friend who is faithful in adversity. 
In a natural state, the Redbreast sings the whole year, 
except during the time when the young nestlings require 
close attention : this period is no sooner past than its song 
is recommenced, and is not again relinquished until another 
year brings with it a recurrence of the same duties. The 
song commences in the morning with the earliest dawn, and 
is often heard late in the evening, especially in the latter part 
of summer, until nearly dark. We had a caged Redbreast, 
a great favourite, which always began to sing in the evening, 
as soon as the candles were brought in. If there was music, 
of which he was particularly fond, he would sometimes sing 
so loud that we were obliged to throw a covering over his 
cage, in order to keep him quiet. At other times, when 
not excited by rivalry, his voice was soft and delightful, 
and sometimes so low as to be inaudible at the distance of 
a few feet from the cage. The Redbreast, when caged, is 
very wakeful, and can seldom be surprised with its head 
behind its wing. 
