WHO is not acquainted with Robin? and who does not wish to know more of his habits? Some of the earliest rhymes which we loved to hear in childhood are about this interesting little bird. We see him in the field, the wood, and the garden; and there is scarcely a hedge without a Redbreast.

The whole length of the bird is five inches and three quarters.

In summer he feeds on worms, various insects, fruit, especially cherries, and such berries as he can find. In winter he appeals to man, in his own gentle, yet confident manner, for food; for in that dreary season, when the ground is covered with snow, and worms are difficult to be got at, and there is no fruit, and berries are scarce, he is glad to receive a welcome in a hospitable country-house, or a nice snug cottage, and to be invited

to share the crumbs which are freely thrown for him to pick up.

With his full dark eye, and sidelong turn of the head, and sagacious inquiring look, enters Robin, while the family are at breakfast: they see him with pleasure, and scarcely stir till he has gained more confidence: this he soon does, when kindly welcomed;

-then hopping o'er the floor,

Eyes all the smiling family askance,

And pecks, and starts, and wonders where he is."*

The nest of the Redbreast is formed of moss and dried grass, lined with hair, and sometimes a few feathers. The eggs are from five to seven in number, white, spotted with pale reddish brown. This bird

sometimes makes a strange choice of situation for its nest. In Stanley's History of Birds,† is an engraving of a Redbreast sitting in her nest, in the folds of one of the window curtains in a dining-room, this "household bird" having actually selected that position for rearing its helpless brood! And who could abuse such confidence?

As to their singing, White of Selborne tell us that "Redbreasts sing all through the spring, summer, and autumn. In the two former seasons their voices are drowned, and lost in the general chorus. In the latter their song becomes distinguishable." The notes are sweet and plaintive, but not powerful.

Be it known, however, to our young readers, that there is one quality in the Redbreast for which he must be blamed he is too much in the habit of fighting with other birds!

*Thomson.

+ Ed. 1840, vol. ii. page 33.

ALL the members of the Lark tribe are musical. The Wood-Lark has a sweet and plaintive tone, but its voice has neither the power nor the variety of the Sky-Lark, which is more generally known, being an inhabitant of most, if not all, the countries of Europe.

"In early spring," says Mr. Yarrell, "its cheerful and exhilarating song, fresh as the season, is the admiration of all. The bird rises on quivering wing, almost perpendicularly, singing as he flies, and gaining an elevation that is quite extraordinary; yet so powerful is his voice, that his wild joyous notes may be heard distinctly, when the pained eye can trace his course no

longer.

An ear well tuned to his song, can even then determine by the notes, whether the bird is still ascending, remaining stationary, or on the descent. When at a considerable height, should a hawk appear in sight, or the well-known voice of his mate reach his ear, the wings are closed, and he drops to the earth with the rapidity of a stone. Occasionally the Sky-Lark sings when on the ground; but his most lively strains are poured forth during flight; and even in confinement, this would-be tenant of the free air tramples his turf, and flutters his wings while singing, as if muscular motion were with him a necessary accompaniment to his music."

Izaak Walton beautifully says of the Lark, "When she means to rejoice, to cheer herself, and those that hear her, she quits the earth, and sings as she ascends higher into the air; and having ended her heavenly employment, grows then mute, and sad to think she must descend to the dull earth, which she would not touch but for necessity."

The food of this bird consists of grain, seeds of grasses, various insects, and worms. The nest is generally placed on the ground, sheltered by a tuft of herbage, or a clod of earth; the eggs are four or five in number, of a greyish-white, tinged with green, and mottled with darker grey and ash-brown. The parentbirds are strongly attached to their young: instances are known, not only of a Sky-Lark encountering danger for the sake of its tender brood, but removing the eggs to some other spot for safety.

FEW birds are more generally known than the Starling. It is an inhabitant of almost all climates, and is common in every part of England. It is a familiar bird, and easily trained. Its natural voice is strong and hoarse; but it may be taught to repeat short sentences, and to whistle tunes.

As winter approaches, Starlings begin to collect; and as the cold season advances, they are seen to assemble in vast flocks in the morning and evening. They may