The Redbreast. 121 
upon as a sacred bird, ‘even by schoolboys, who care 
not to take the eggs of Robin Redbreast. This it 
seems to know, and upon such belief it acts through 
its life; for in winter, when all around is robed in 
white, this bold little fellow will often pay us most 
familiar visits, showing, at the same time, no fear of 
a human figure; but, on the contrary, it looks to us 
for part of its maintenance, hopping on the sill of our 
window and knocking with its slight beak at the panes 
of glass, asking for a few crumbs, which it is certain 
_to receive, for an open door is ever ready for Robin 
Redbreast. 
This bird, like the house sparrow, scarcely needs — 
description, as its winter habits in particular are well 
known; but perhaps some of its summer ways are 
not so fully seen by all. During this quarter of the 
year the young show no red on the breast, and, in 
every other way besides actions and size, might be 
taken for young thrushes,.as their plumage bears a 
striking resemblance to that infant bird up to the 
time of their first moulting. 
The nest of the Redbreast is usually placed near or 
