BRITISH BIRDS. 
207 
The young Redbreaft, when full feathered, may 
be taken for a different bird, being fpotted all over 
with ruft coloured fpots on a light ground : The 
firfl appearance of the red is about the end of Au- 
gull, but it does not arrive at its full colour till the 
end of the following month. Redbreafts are never 
feen in flocks, but always fingly ; and, when all 
other birds affociate together, they flill retain their 
folitary habits. Buffon fays, that as foon as the 
young birds have attained their full plumage, they 
prepare for their departure ; but in thus changing 
their fituation, they do not gather in flocks, but per- 
form their journey fingly, one after another ; which, 
is a fmgular circumftance in the hiflory of this bird. 
Its general familiarity has occafioned it to be dif- 
tinguifhed by a peculiar name in many countries : 
About Bornholm it is called Tomi Liden ; in 
Norway, Peter Ronfmad ; in Germany it is called 
Thomas Gierdet; and with us, Robin-Redbreaft, 
or Ruddock. 
