The ROBIN REDBREAST (_Erythaca rubecula_ or _Rubecula silvestris_) is the
last member of the family to which our space permits us to allude. In
this species the upper mandible is arched and incised immediately behind
its curved tip. The feet are of moderate height, and delicately formed;
the wings, in which the fourth and fifth quills are the longest, are
rather short and weak; the tail is of medium size, and slightly incised
at its extremity.
The plumage is lax, and of a deep olive-grey upon the upper part of-the
body; the under side is grey; the brow, throat, and upper portion of the
breast yellowish red. The female is somewhat paler than her mate, and the
young are distinguishable by reddish yellow spots on the shafts of the
upper feathers; the under side is reddish yellow, with grey spots and
light edges to the feathers; the large, expressive eyes are brown, the
beak blackish brown, and the feet reddish grey. The length of this bird
is five inches and a half, and its breadth eight inches and a half; the
wing measures two inches and three-quarters, and the tail two inches and
a half.
Europe must certainly be regarded as the home of the Redbreasts; beyond
its limits they seldom venture, except during their migrations, when
some few travel as far as North-western Africa and the adjacent islands.
By far the greater number of those met with in the northern and central
countries of our continent usually only journey as far as Southern
Europe. This lively, beautiful little bird, with whose sweet twittering
voice and social fearless habits we are so familiar, is met with in all
woodland districts, and may constantly be seen hopping nimbly about our
fields and gardens, or flitting from bush to bush, quite close to our
houses, in search of the spiders, worms, snails, and beetles upon which
it subsists. In winter, when it is difficult to obtain these means of
support, it lives upon various kinds of berries. The nest of the Robin
is placed in holes in the ground, in hollow trunks of trees, or similar
situations, at no great elevation, and is formed of moss, stalks, and
leaves, woven together, and delicately lined with hair, wool, and
feathers. Should the margin of the cavity in which the nest is placed
not project in such a manner as to form a sheltering cover, a roof is
constructed, and an entrance made in the side. The eggs, which are of a
yellowish white, marked with reddish yellow spots (see Fig. 33, Coloured
Plate XVI.), are from five to seven in number; these are laid about May.
The parents brood alternately during a fortnight, they feed the nestlings
assiduously with worms and insects, and diligently instruct and tend
them for about a week after they are fledged; they are then permitted
to go forth into the world on their own account; whilst, if the weather
be fine, the old birds at once prepare for a second family. Numberless
are the anecdotes that might be quoted to show the kindly disposition of
these interesting little favourites, but we must confine ourselves to the
mention of two or three exemplifications of their habits.
[Illustration: THE ROBIN REDBREAST (_Erythaca rubecula_ or _Rubecula
silvestris_).]
The first that we shall narrate happened in our own village. Two male
Redbreasts were captured and confined in the same cage. From the moment
of their imprisonment they seemed entirely to have laid aside their usual
amiable and social demeanour; morning, noon, and night they squabbled
and pecked each other, and fought with an enduring rancour which plainly
showed that they each grudged every atom of food or drop of water
obtained by the other. This state of affairs was at last brought to a
very unexpected termination; one of the captives broke its leg, and
forthwith the conduct of its companion was completely changed; it at once
took charge of the helpless invalid with as much tenderness as if it had
been one of its own young, fed and tended it until the limb was restored;
and, strange to say, even after the invalid was strong and well again,
neither of the birds ever showed the slightest inclination to renew
former hostilities.
An instance of the truly parental affection they often exhibit towards
the young of entirely different species is mentioned by Naumann, who
upon one occasion introduced an unfledged Linnet into the cage of a
Redbreast. No sooner did the hungry nestling begin to clamour for food
than the parental feelings and sympathy of the Robin were awakened;
it at once hopped off to procure a dainty mouthful, which it placed
tenderly in the youngster's gaping beak, repeating the performance till
the calls of hunger were completely satisfied. Even in its native woods,
and surrounded by its own kind, the Redbreast will occasionally contract
a close friendship with a bird of another species. Posslen mentions a
pretty instance of this social tendency as having occurred in Germany.
"In a wood near Köthen," he says, "a Redbreast was found to have actually
deposited six eggs in the same nest with the six eggs laid by a Linnet,
the two mothers brooding side by side until the nestlings made their
appearance."
[Illustration: THE GARDEN REDSTART (_Ruticilla phœnicura_ or _Phœnicura
ruticilla_).]
* * * * *
The WARBLERS (_Monticolæ_) constitute a numerous family, whose members
vary considerably in size, but closely resemble each other, both in
appearance and habits. These birds are recognisable by their slender
bodies, moderate-sized or long wings, in which the third quill generally
exceeds the rest in length; short tail, either straight or excised at its
tip; slender tarsi, and awl-shaped beak, with quite straight or slightly
arched upper mandible, the latter furnished with a very short, delicate
hook at its extremity. The coloration of their thick, lax plumage
differs according to the age and sex, the males being usually much more
beautifully coloured than their mates, and the young distinguishable from
the adults by the spots with which they are adorned. Many species are
remarkable for the brownish red and white hues that predominate in the
tail-feathers. Most of the various members of this family occupy rocky
or stony districts, whilst some few, on the contrary, frequent woods,
gardens, or pasture-land. In disposition they are watchful, lively, and
restless, but by no means social, never congregating, even during the
migratory season, in flocks, but living invariably in pairs, or at most
in families. Morning has no sooner dawned than they commence hopping, or
rather running over the ground, climbing among the branches of bushes,
or flying about in short courses over a considerable tract of country,
always returning to pass the night upon their usual resting-place. Unlike
other singing birds, when excited, they bow the head repeatedly, and
either flourish and spread their tails or agitate them with a tremulous
kind of motion. The voices of this family, though possessing many sweet
notes, are generally marred by an intermixture of harsh tones, and a
constant repetition of the same cadence. Many species have great facility
for imitation, and constantly introduce the notes and strophes of other
birds into their own natural song. All such as inhabit the northern
portions of the globe migrate to warmer latitudes at the approach of
winter, whilst those that live in southern regions remain throughout the
entire year in their native lands. The reason of this difference in their
habits is at once explained, if we reflect that the insects upon which
they almost exclusively subsist are only found in northern countries
during the summer, but are readily obtained in southern climes throughout
the entire year. Both sexes assist in the labours attendant on building
and incubation. The nest, which is carefully hidden from view, is usually
situated in clefts or fissures of rocks and stones, or occasionally in
hollow trees and similar situations, and though very rudely constructed
externally, is provided with a well-lined interior, for the reception of
the little family. The eggs, from four to six in number, are generally of
a pale blue colour.
* * * * *
The REDSTARTS (_Ruticilla_) are distinguishable by their slender body,
awl-shaped beak, which is furnished with a slight hook at the tip of the
upper mandible; slender, delicate feet; high tarsi; moderately long wings
and tail, the latter almost straight at its extremity, and lax plumage,
which varies considerably according to the age and sex of the bird. The
members of this group inhabit the eastern hemisphere (Asia especially
being tolerably rich in species), and resemble each other no less in
their habits and general disposition than in their general coloration and
appearance.