60 
SYLVIAD.E, 
journal, dated April the 7th, records : “ A heavy snow storm 
at six o’clock in the morning,” and a Robin’s nest in the 
garden, with young ones.” 
The nest of this species varies as much in the materials 
of which it is composed, as in the situation chosen. We 
have one taken in the month of April from the interior of 
the roof of a cow-shed, after the young birds were flown, 
which is almost entirely constructed, within and without, of 
cows’ hair, of a rufous, or reddish colour ; a very little green 
moss can be detected interwoven in the foundation, together 
with a few roots. The whole has the most singular appear¬ 
ance, and bears no resemblance at all to an ordinary Robin’s 
nest. Another of our specimens, formed of the materials 
most in use with this species, is chiefly composed of green 
moss, bound together with leaves of the holly and black 
poplar, both in the beautiful reticulated or skeleton state, 
and the inside is lined with delicate white roots, and a 
few horse-hairs. This is as usual a large and rather deep 
nest, and its substantial sides are not less than two inches 
in thickness: it contained when brought to us seven eggs. 
The eggs of this species are oval in shape; in colour they 
are yellowish-white, speckled with brownish or Venetian-red, 
chiefly at the larger end. 
The Redbreast is generally diffused throughout England, 
wherever w'ooded country abounds, or fields, hedges, planta¬ 
tions, gardens, or enclosures of any kind are to be found. 
In all these different localities this bird is to be met v/ith at 
most seasons, and in such places it rears its young. If the 
locality chosen for its nest be a garden, the site selected is 
usually a hidden corner in an ivy-covered wall or thatch. If 
it be in the open country, a mossy bank, or a stump covered 
with evergreen foliage, is preferred, or a crevice in a rock 
where fern and tangled roots can serve for shelter or con¬ 
cealment. 
