robin-redbreast

He would give a capital imitation of the way a robin-redbreast cocks his head on one side preliminary to a dash forward in the direction of a wriggling victim.

The Public and Private Worlds of Charles Dickens 2002

He would give a capital imitation of the way a robin-redbreast cocks his head on one side preliminary to a dash forward in the direction of a wriggling victim.

The Public and Private Worlds of Charles Dickens 2002

Here was Mary, as blithe as a lark, and as petted as a robin-redbreast, by no means pining, or even hankering, for any other robin.

Mary Anerley Richard Doddridge 2004

Their teacher had a feathered pet -- "quædam avicula quæ vulgo ob ruborem corpusculi rubisca nuncupatur" -- a robin-redbreast, in fact, an animal whose good fortune it is never to be mentioned without some kindly reference to his universal popularity, and the decoration which renders him so easily recognised wherever he appears.

The Book-Hunter A New Edition, with a Memoir of the Author John Hill Burton

Here and there a little robin-redbreast hopped to and fro, chiefly gathering round the latticed windows of the parsonage, where morning and evening Betty fed hundreds of feathered pensioners.

Tales from Many Sources Vol. V Various

What the wood-pigeon was to Horace, the robin-redbreast has been to the children of old England.

The Child and Childhood in Folk-Thought Studies of the Activities and Influences of the Child Among Primitive Peoples, Their Analogues and Survivals in the Civilization of To-Day Alexander F. Chamberlain

The young wife, who has been waiting three long years for his return, still firmly believes his promise, to come back when the robin-redbreast should build its nest.

The Standard Operaglass Detailed Plots of One Hundred and Fifty-one Celebrated Operas Charles Annesley

Some time ago I was reading the account which a boy, who had always lived in town, gave of his first sight of a robin-redbreast.

Twilight and Dawn Simple Talks on the Six Days of Creation Caroline Pridham

Let not wicked or disagreeable relatives imagine henceforth that they may safely indulge in small tyrannies, neglects, or other peccadilloes; for no robin-redbreast will piously cover them with leaves, but that which is done in the ear shall be proclaimed upon the house-tops, nor can they tell from what quarter the trumpet shall sound.

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 14, No. 85, November, 1864 Various

QUOTATION: Call for the robin-redbreast and the wren,

Quotations 1919