i6 
PICTURES OF BIRD LTFE. 
at the side of the loneliest field, hears a rustling beside him, and suddenly a Robin 
hops out. Even in the depths of a wood, in spots too sunless to be frequented 
by other small birds save perhaps a wren or a family of titmice feeding, the well- 
known gay breast of the Robin quickly presents itself. It is fond of the company 
of the labourer afield, while any one digging in a garden, more especially in autumn 
or winter, will speedily see one hopping on his wheelbarrow, and when he stops, 
sitting a moment on the spade, before it flits to the turned-up soil and begins to 
feed eagerly on its worms and insect treasures. The Robin belongs to the family 
of warblers, most of which are regular migrants, coming every spring to us, and 
leaving in autumn. Like the hedge-sparrow, however (which is really a warbler 
and no sparrow), the Robin continues with us throughout the year. But its 
movements during the different seasons are very erratic and, partly perhaps from 
choice, partly because the foliage is so thick during late summer, it appears then 
to retire more to the fields and lonely spots, whereas in severe weather it invariably 
draws near to man. Professor Newton remarks that no bird can be more readily 
studied with regard to this most wonderful mystery of bird life, partial migration. 
One reason why the Robin seeks seclusion towards the end of summer appears to 
be in order that it may undergo its annual moult. Finding the young of the 
previous spring in possession of their garden haunts, on their return the old ones 
engage them with much fierceness, and the younger are generally worsted in the 
encounter. The latter, it is supposed, then join those wandering bands which leave 
our shores for warmer climes. In most parts of the Continent, Robins also take 
these long autumnal journeys. Even round our houses and homesteads more or 
less severe weather during winter appears to affect the distribution of the Robins 
ordinarily found there. Thus any one ambitious of ornithological reputation can 
find plenty of opportunities for observing migration at his very door if he studies 
the winter movements of the Robin. 
No description of this bird is required. The breast of the female is not so 
bright as that of the male bird. The young after leaving the nest, with their 
spotted brown breasts, are like footmen out of livery. The red colour is only 
assumed after their first autumnal moult, and is then fainter than in the adult bird, 
and tinged with orange, while the legs are dark brown instead of purple-brown. 
Robins are often eaten, along with many other small birds which no one in 
England would think of killing, while on their migration throughout Italy and the 
south of France. Waterton says—“ At the bird market near the Rotunda, in Rome, 
I have counted more than fifty Robin Redbreasts lying dead on one stall. ‘ Is it 
