THE ROBIN, OR REDBREAST. 117 
vented, as we remarked, by the operations of the 
woodman or gardener. During summer, in re- 
tired situations, the food is in a great measure 
composed of insects and their larvae ; indeed, it is 
similar to that of the Sylviance, with the excep- 
tion that earth worms, small slugs, and mollusca, 
are also sought for and eaten. Notwithstanding 
the favour in which the Robin is held, his dis- 
position is not of the mildest character. He will 
drive intruders of his own size from the vicinity 
of his nest; he will fight with other small birds if 
placed in confinement with them. In a house in 
winter, he will take and keep his particular 
station, and obstinate combats may frequently be 
witnessed, when one intrudes on the range of 
another, or attempts to share any limited deposit 
of food. 
The Robin is very generally distributed over 
the mainlands of Britain, becoming less frequent 
towards the south, and disappearing in very alpine 
districts. In the northern islands, it also almost 
disappears, and in Shetland is migratory, which 
is probably the commencement of the range where 
it begins to be a temporary resident only. In 
the northern countries of Europe, it continues 
only during summer, arriving early, and being 
late in departure. In the south of Europe again, 
it is stationary through the year, but we have 
been unable to trace its extent of range in this 
direction. It has been noticed at Smyrna, and 
in Northern Africa. 
The crown and upper parts deep yellowish oil 
