RED-BREAST, or Robin-Red-Breast, Motacilla rubecula, L. a little bird, the body of which is of a greenish ash colour; and the forehead, throat, neck, and breast, are marked with a rufous orange shade.
This familiar and diminutive creature inhabits Britain, and the whole Continent of Europe.—It abounds in several provinces of France, where numbers are caught for the table, being there esteemed a great delicacy.
Red-breasts construct their nests either in some low bush near the ground, or in retired parts of old buildings. The female lays twice annually, from five to six dusky-white eggs, marked with reddish spots.
Insects are the favourite and general food of these birds: there are none of the feathered tribe more tame and useful than the Red-breast, which closely attends the gardener, when at work with the spade, with the view of obtaining worms: and, frequently in the winter season, enters houses, where the doors or windows are open, when it picks up the crumbs from the table, while the family are at dinner.