EEDQ B-SPARROW.
been frequently watched feeding on a grass-plat, peeking at almost every step, though even the most powerful
glass failed to reveal the prey secured. I possess, however, good proof that this species is beneficial on a wellkept
lawn, having observed an old bird, followed by one of her young brood, searching out with immense
success the grubs of the crane-fly, or daddy-long-legs. Having satisfied the wants of the first juvenile, which
was then carefully conducted beneath the shade of the adjacent evergreens, sho shortly after emerged from the
cover with the second fluttering eagerly after her towards the same spot. "While providing for her querulous
offspring, I remarked that she dragged out the caterpillars of the destructive insects with almost the rapidity
of Starlings. 1 find this fact first recorded in my notes under date of April 14, 1881; on several subsequent
occasions the birds have also been watched engaged in the same manner.
REDBREAST.
ERITILWUS RVBECVLA.
THE reasons why this universal favourite does not increase in numbers appear to have exercised the
minds of several of our writers on British birds : some declare that the old birds drive 01T their young, and
others that the juveniles slay their parents; cats also are credited with a share in the work of extermination.
Tn addition to these causes, it is asserted that, in straggling parties, large quantities leave our shores
as autumn draws to a close, and make their way to distant climes, from which few, if any, return, the
gourmands of the south of Europe and the lords of prey that frequent their supposed winter haunts
accounting satisfactorily for those that reach so far on their journey. Possibly there is some truth in these
statements, though Itohins, according to my own observation'!, only appear inclined to pick quarrels
with those intruding on their domains ; that the old and young engage in strife has also entirely escaped
my notice. Cats, I am well aware, are merciless marauders, and 1 fully believe in the bad characters
ascribed to the whole feline tribe. With regard to the migratory habits of our familiar friend-, I have
nothing to say gathered from personal experience, not a single specimen having ever been scon while on
passage over the North Sea or the English Channel. I also failed to gain the slightest information
concerning their movements from the crows of the light-ships off the east coast. The titter disregard
of danger evinced by Robins and their disposition to enter dwellings prove injurious to them, and
assist in keeping down their numbers; the situations chosen for nesting-purposes are also often undesirable
to those whose precincts they intrude on, and their nests not 1111 frequently being destroyed tends to keep
down the numbers of young that are reared. Row relentlessly these birds persist in driving off those
who find their way by accident or design into their own particular quarters, and with how little pily
for a fallen foe they eonduet their battles, may be judged from the following lines extracted from my
notes for 1884:—" November 27. The Robin that resorts to the indoor fernery was seen this morning
in the net of pitching into one of those from the garden that had entered the building and been detected
regaling himself on some food deposited on the rocks. The outsider was speedily driven oil' and retreated
into the corner of one of the conservatories, where he first sought refuge in the foliage of some of the
larger plants, and finally among the rows of flower-pots, gaining shelter for a while Trom his active
pursuer. Though left in peace for a time, whenever attracting attention he was viciously attacked, and
at last, when utterly disabled and helpless to offer resistance, was only Baved by his persecutor, who was
evidently bent on putting an end to his existence, being driven off. After being rescued and returned
to the garden, the poor little bird presented a piteous spectacle, having barely sufficient strength to secrete
itself among the bushes. Repeatedly, after attacking and punishing his victim, the Robin had mounted
on the top of one of the open doors and sang sweetly for a few minutes, as if to celebrate his victory,
jerking his tail and bowing his head to show himself off to the greatest advantage." During the following
spring I remarked that no nest was commenced at the usual date by a pair annually resorting to an