2 
REDBREAST. 
outdoor fernery in the garden, aud I also remarked the ahsence of the male, who had invariably been in 
h habit of iking his appearance to welcome visitors to his quarters After makrng mqu.rres I learned 
im the gardeners that one of the Robins in the indoor fernery bad been observed dnvrng an rnt rl per 
about the place a week or two before and piteously attacking him when down. Ihe irren declared that 
the little savage peeked furiously at the helpless vietim while endeavouring to seek shelter among the 
crevices of the rocks. In consequence of this information, a search was made, and we soon discovered his 
mangled remains floating in a small pool near the waterfall. The flesh had been literally torn fi.m 
portions of the breast and neck, and the greater part of the head was devoid of feathers, showing the 
barbarous treatment to which he had been exposed. This evidence is corroborated by the following lines, 
which appeared in the ‘Eield’ of October 25, 1884 of the Bohin.—On Sunday last I saw 
two Robins fighting under my dining-room window in such a fierce manner that they astonished me. 
I watched them until one actually killed the other, and then, like a game-cock, continued to peck his 
victim. I then went out to examine the poor bird, and found both eyes out and his skull quite bare, 
and the victor flew on a branch close to me, and began to sing in the sweetest notes. I then left the 
dead bird where I found it, and before I could get into the house he was at him again, pulling him 
about and standing on him, and he actually pecked a hole in his side. I have often seen dead Robins 
about the grounds, but had no idea they would kill one another, though I knew they were most pug- 
nacious.— John WOETHINGTON (Eisliguard).” 
Eor the last six or seven years I have, when at home in the south of England, carefully watched 
three pairs that breed round the house, notes also being received with reference to their proceedings 
during my absence. One pair annually construct their nests among the rocks in an enclosed fernery, 
secure from cutting winds and safe from the attacks of cats ; these in every instance have succeeded in 
rearing a couple of broods. Two pairs, one resorting to an outdoor fernery and the other to an ivy-clad 
wall, have in only one instance brought out both broods— cats, cold Avinds, and the loss of eggs (for 
which, I believe, both rats, mice, and Starlings must be held responsible) having caused them repeatedly 
to desert their nests. That no increase in numbers takes place is certain, more than three pairs having 
never nested on the grounds; a few young may be observed till well on in autumn, after Avhich the old 
birds only are seen, each emerging from its usual haunt Avhen called, and looking down in expectation 
for what they like best, viz. a small lump of butter. 
I am unable to offer any opinion as to the length of life of this species : AAntnesses, however, AAdiose 
statements ought to be reliable, have informed me that these birds have been knoAvn to frequent one spot for 
from fifteen to tAA'enty years. My own acquaintance AAdth any individual has never extended over between 
seven and eight years. On every occasion A\dien driving through a beech-plantation on the South DoAvns, 
betAA'een May 1872 and January 1880, a Robin came regularly to Avelcome us to his quarters. Bobby Avas a fine 
old bird in full song Avhen his acquaintance Avas first made ; our conveyance drawn up for lunch under 
a spreading beech having attracted him to the spot, crumhs and fat meat at once found favour in his 
sight. In course of time he grew more familiar ; no sooner Avere the Avheels heard descending the rough 
hill-track, than Bohhy, even if his haunts had not been visited for scA^eral months, AA^as on the look out 
some three or four hundred yards from AAdiere Ave usually pulled up. Flying at once to meet the con- 
A'eyance, he perched on any convenient part and, singing from time to time, rode for the remainder of 
the way. IVhile lunch A\as being unpacked he usually explored the interior of the nose-bag Avith Avhich 
the horse Avas provided, and regaled himself AAuth a fcAV oats. The fat of ham, beef, or mutton was the 
delicacy he relished most, though butter or even a humble crumb of bread proved acceptable at times. 
Ilis Avife and, on two or three occasions, their family Avere seen ; these, however, never ventured 
within the distance of tAvo or three yards, and after snatching a mouthful or two, at once sought the 
