2A REDBREAST. 
as elderberries and blackberries, as also on flies, beetles, and 
other insects, earwigs and worms; the larger are frequently 
held in one claw, and so picked: occasionally it will capture 
insects on the wing, sallying out at them time after time. 
The hard parts of any are cast up, as is done by the Hawks. 
One has been seen to attack the formidable stage beetle on 
the wing, when both fell together to the ground; what the 
result would have been was not ascertained, for the former 
flew away on the observer coming up. In the winter this 
bird frequently visits the sea-shore, searching among the sea- 
weed for small marine insects. In summer he eats not a few 
currants and other small fruits, with which the young are 
sometimes fed; but insects are his chief food. Its manner of 
feeding is not an assiduous pecking about, but it hops on for 
a few steps, and then halts, and then hops on again with a 
diligence of observation to which we for the moment are 
blind, though we presently are almost sure to see its successful 
result. Now and then it turns up the grass or leaves in 
search of or in pursuit of its prey. A little gravel is swallowed 
to aid the trituration of its food. 
There is something peculiarly touching im the soft, sweet, 
and plaintive note of the NRedbreast, especially when first 
re-heard again at the close of summer, when the leaves begin 
to fade and fall, and autumn gives presage of the storms and 
cold of returning winter. So likewise when winter has again ” 
in its turn passed away, and the first signs, though ever so 
faint, of long-wished-for spring begin to dawn, then is the 
well-known note a pleasant sound to the ear that loves the 
the country for the country’s sake. The Robin in fact sings 
throughout the year, except while too much engaged with his 
family in the nest. And as for his annual, so also for his 
diurnal habit; retiring late to roost, his voice is heard in 
every lane and garden, while any glimmer of twilight remains, 
but then it ceases, and up he is betimes again after daybreak, 
before the sun, and his ‘Good Morning’ is a pleasant weleome 
to the early riser on the following day. 
Two birds are often heard answering the one to the other 
from some little distance, especially in fine calm and clear 
evenings, but also even in dull or rainy weather, when many 
other kinds are dulled to silence. The one waits till the 
other has ended, before he begins, and thus the conversation 
is carried on. Either may been seen to stretch forward the 
head, and bend the neck to catch what-is sung, offering no 
