58 
SYLVIAD E. 
at tliat season for years. In a cage, it is the most interesting 
and sensible of all birds ; it is always active and lively, and 
watchful of all that passes. If a new bird is put into the 
cage, or aviary it inhabits, the Robin is the first that takes 
notice of it, and immediately approaching, utters its note of 
surprise, bows repeatedly with its peculiar dipping motion, 
erects its tail, and in various ways endeavours to express 
its interest or surprise. Its attention is particularly directed 
to young nestlings, either of its own or other species. 
The food of this species consists of insects of all sorts, and 
earthworms, of which they devour great quantities; these 
are sometimes shaken or beaten till motionless, but often 
swallowed alive ; elderberries and blackberries are also eaten 
with much relish. Beetles and earwigs are likewise a favourite 
food ; the former are held in the claw, in the manner prac¬ 
tised by tbe hawk tribe, and picked in pieces, having previ¬ 
ously been twitched and tossed about until apparently dead. 
After eating food of this kind. Redbreasts cast, or throw up, 
the indigestible remains, such as the elytra of beetles, the 
wings of flies, etc. A young friend once informed us that, 
walking in a road enclosed with trees, he had observed one 
of the large beetles, commonly known as the stag beetle, 
sailing in the air across his path ; suddenly, a Redbreast 
darted towards it, and the two creatures met in the air, and 
by the force of the shock fell together to the ground. The 
young narrator said he watched them for a few moments 
struggling together upon the ground ; when, fearing for the 
life of the Robin from the formidable jaws of such an adver¬ 
sary, he could not help running towards them, upon which 
the Redbreast flew off. The collision might have been acci¬ 
dental, but from the well-known boldness of the Redbreast, 
and the circumstance of his being sufficiently at liberty to fly 
off when approached, it would appear as if he had been the 
aggressor, and had met this formidable insect with deadly 
intentions. 
