16 BIRDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE 
The Black Redstart breeds in central and southern 
E^ope wintering in northern Africa and so far south 
rS'ia "t Jj be considered a« a ^^-^y^^llTZ 
visitant to the southern and ea«t^«^ , I ^ m^re 
Ireland, but elsewhere in the British Isles it 18 more 
uncommon.] 
THE BRITISH REDBREAST. 
Erithacus ruhecuU melophilus, Hartert. 
Local names-RoBiN ; Robh^-Redbkeast. 
" But here comes Robin. In our boyish days 
We thought him Kitty's* husband like her, 
Sings all the year ; but she is not ^f^^-. 
Look Sow thJ knowing fellow turns the h^^^^^^ 
This way and that, peepmg from out the leaves 
With curious art, and still comes hoppmg near. 
Stronff in his individual character, 
ffis ?ull black eye, short neck, and waistcoat red, 
His p%e melUfluous, and pugnacious pride, 
D^rthig to strike intruders from his beat. 
His lov'e of man is still ^^^^^^^^ ^ Summer Day.- 
A co™ resident throughout the county, though subject to «.asonal 
migration. 
In September and October the majority of the Robins 
that have bred, or have been bred here, ^'^^^ Z ^^i 
a return immigration taking place ^^^^^^^^^'^ 
March There is no evidence, however, of the occurrence 
S SLounty of the Continental form « t»^e B.^^^^^^^ 
a,id all our birds appear to belong to the British race, 
darker upper surface and the ncner reu ui 
''Tthe spring of 1899, according to Mr. R. Service nests 
of thif ieciefwere unusually numerous, and he attributed 
* The Wren. 
•j- British Birds (Mag.), Vol. I., p. 219. 
