26 REDBREAST. 
is indeed a very pugnacious bird: I lately observed two of 
them, after giving the usual challenge, fight with so much 
animosity, that I could easily have caught them ,both, as 
they reeled close to my feet on a gravel walk. After some 
time one of them had the advantage, and would have killed 
his opponent, had they not been separated. Indeed these 
birds will frequently fight till one has lost his life. It has 
been asserted that the female Robin sings, and I am much 
inclined to be of this opinion, having heard two Robins sing 
at the same time in a situation where I had every reason 
to believe there was only a pair.’ 
Mr. Thompson mentions his having seen and heard about 
a dozen Redbreasts perched on the fruit trees in different 
parts of his garden, singing at the same time; and he adds_ 
that so many of them sending forth their notes at once, 
satisfied him that the young birds of the year take their 
part in the concert, and that the fact of every individual 
in view trilling its note together, favours the idea that the 
female bird is possessed of song. Several may at times be 
heard even in the depth of winter, and while the ground is 
covered with snow, singing and answering one another as at 
@ more genial season, though not a gleam of sunshine may 
enliven the dreary scene. Their song has several times been 
heard in moonlight nights, and one kept in a cage has been 
known to sing when candles were brought into the room, 
and when there was music, to rival it with all his power. 
Of a Redbreast kept in confinement Mr. Couch says, ‘On 
placing a mirror near its cage, it immediately expressed the 
recognition of its fellow by a particular low and sweet note, 
and would give vent to its satisfaction in a loud song. In 
fine weather this bird was generally placed outside, and daily 
earolled his glad notes to his own image reflected from the 
window.’ One taken in a trap was accompanied by a com- 
panion even into the house into which it was taken. In 
some instances they are sociable and friendly with other birds 
kept in confinement with them. 
Nidification commences very early in the spring, and the 
eggs are usually laid about the beginning of April; but 
young birds have often been found in the nest by the end of 
March. In backward seasons they are usually later. Mr. 
Macgillivray mentions one seen on the 9th. of May, 1831, 
and another on the 2nd. of June, 1837, which he believed 
to be the first brood of that year. A Robin’s nest con- 
