BRITISH BIRDS 'SF THE ROBIN KIND. 4<29 



to tli-s species, but which are applicable alike to almost every member 

 of the genus. The form of these birds is too well known to require a 

 description; it is intermediate between the nightingales (Philomela) 

 and the chats (Rubetra). It presents itself, however, under two slight 

 modifications, which differ a little in their habits ; one, exemplified in 

 the common redstart of this country ; the other, in the robin : their 

 respective peculiarities are, however, united in the black redstart 

 (R. tithys), which species may accordingly be selected as the standard 

 of the genus Rubecula. These birds are all very partial to the vicinity 

 of man, a fact which, in the common redstart (R. arborea), is rather 

 singular, it being, nevertheless, one of the shyest birds we have. 

 The different species are remarkable (see page 290), each for a peculiar 

 tremulous movement of the tail ; and there are but few persons, I 

 should imagine, who have not often noticed the jerk, or rather, bowing 

 motion of the robin-redbreast (accompanied often with a loud tit tit), 

 when he sees any object of distrust : this bow I have observed in the 

 black redstart (R. tithys), and occasionally also in the common redstart, 

 in the nightingale, in the common wren, and (during the breeding 

 season) in the gold-crested regulus : the magpie, also, has frequently a 

 similar movement. The species of Rubecula nidificate in various 

 situations, such as the chinks and crannies of old walls, particularly if 

 covered with ivy or other plants ; in the clefts of rocks, in church 

 steeples, or in various out-buildings, &c. The common redstart selects 

 frequently the hole of a tree ; and the redbreast usually prefers situa- 

 tions near the ground ; in a ditch bank, in the holes and mossy nooks 

 formed by the half-exposed roots of trees, and often in an old basket or 

 a flower-pot, if placed in a secluded situation. It may be observed, 

 however, in all these various locations, that the Rubecula? invariably select 

 some little snug recess wherein to rear its progeny ; and accordingly, 

 as might be expected, the nest is not of that firm compact structure, 

 which we observe generally in those which are more exposed to the 

 weather. It is composed, in most instances, principally of moss, and 

 lined with horse-hair, but in the redstarts' nests with soft feathers. 

 The young, as in all the other British Rubeculince, are^at first mottled, 

 in the manner above detailed of the young nightingales. It would be 

 needless here to describe the redbreast's song : that of the redstart is 

 plaintive and not unpleasing, and it often introduces the notes of other 

 birds : I have heard it imitate the blackcap very correctly, and also the 

 monotonous stittering note of the bunting (Emberiza miliaria). As 

 in the robin, its natural song is broken and interrupted, and not very 



