EETTHA.GUS B BBECU LA .
J. (w u l,I ttff.C J iid iU r, deb t l lith e
W aller im p
ERYTHACUS RUBECULA.
Robin, or Redbreast.
Motacilla rubecula, Linn. Faun. Suec., p. 95.
Syhna rubemk, Lath. lad. Ora., -vol. ii. p. 520.
Cttrruca rubecula, Leach, Syst. Cat. of Indig. Mamm. and Birds in Brit- Mas.
Erithacus rubecula, Macgill. Hist of Brit Birds, vol. ii. p. 223.
Erythaca rubecula, Swains. Faun. Bor.-Am., vol. ii. p. 488.
Dandalus pine tor um tft foliorum, Brehm, Vog. Deutschl., p. 360.
— septentnona&t, Brehm, ib., p. 851, tab. 21. fig. 3.
— rubecula, Boie, Isis, 1826, p. 972.
Ficedula rubecula, Boie, Isis, 1822, p. 553.
Lusciola ( Enjthacus) rubecula, Keys. & Bias. Wirbelth. Eur., p. 58.
Lusciola rubecula, Selileg. Rev. Crit. des Ois. d*Eur., p. 32.
Rubecula rubecula, Brehm, Isis, 1828, p. 1280.
O f all the birds inhabiting
receives protection from eve
lady in h er greenhouse likes t
one in our memories, from the pleasing i
infancy. “ Who killed Cock Robin ? ” a
The universal acquaintance with the '
that is more widely spread, or that freqi
mown lawn, the hedgerow, the green ?
resorted to by this familiar bird, in «s
a t the approach of intruders : his e a r
hops from his twig for a crumb, or wu&b
o f dogs gives him no uneasiness, and On
and always quiet (for the siikiuess M few
wings is never heard—any more than bis
but little difference is seen in the manne
the familiar pet of the garden, has bet
has been fed in company with the S pam
in disposition, habits, and economy the
a moment with the gregarious Sparrov
(birds to which it is more nearly allied),
Robin has no associates, not even o f its
the breeding-season. Every Robin has
either kills or drives it away and takes
tyrant rather than a friend. Pugnacity i
Robin not only fights with its own spec
activity and daring, it can gain mastery
beaten off* as soon as they are able to
islands the Robin is t
d. The villager in his garden regards its t
t hop before h er from flower-stem to f
asoeiations imprinted thereon by the ii
, and the one which
vitli favour, and the
Its name is a hallowed
f rhymes and tales o f our
jwn kind
a limitée
its place
s indeed
Even
Babes in the Wood ” are never forgotten,
mainly due to its general distribution ; for there is no bird
i varied situations. The-garden, the shrubbery, the neatly
gully, and the centre of the most extensive wood are alike
II of these situations, he evinces no fear and no excitement
soon appeased; and if a picnic luncheon be spread, he
bis turn of the spoils after the party has left. The presence
ness of the scene excites but little surprise. Always alone,
■ renders bis movements noiseless, and the rustling of his
lie earth, over which he bounds with amazing sprightliness),
»fi d in the wood from that o f the one which, having become
d to enter the breakfast-room for bis share of the meal, or
* snow in the midst of winter. Is it not, then, evident that
tiers very considerably from other birds ? Compare it for
’ou will, with the Wheatear, the Whin-, or the Stone-Chat
I be seen that they have scarcely one trait in common. The
I, the company of the female not being tolerated except in
i area over which it reigns supreme, until a stronger one
; and its genera] conduct towards other birds is that of a
one o f the remarkable features of its disposition. The
lilts with the Sparrow and every other bird ever which, by
its own young are not allowed to live peaceably, hut are
themselves, and compelled to begin the world on their
The foregoing characteristic« of
favourite. He is clearly not a c*h
at ease on the settle where sits ?h
contributions from the tenants ai
eye or his showy breast can claim
is the theme. What, then, is it
song, and the charm which it givi
and intensity as the day wanes tow
and sharply terminated strain may
year’s decadence all other birds i
attention, and bis strain, tinged w
it were, to foreshadow the close th
The food of the Robin princip;
-, sufficient to
t borne with t
r its being so great a
with the rich, equally
lace, and will receive
even his bright bold
effusions o f which he
siug character of his