NATURAL HISTORY. 



249 



quite seems to consider as a right what was first merely a fa- 

 vour.* When once established, it is very jealous, and will not 

 suffer a friend to be partaker of the same comforts, but attacks 

 him with the greatest fury ; so the unfortunate second comer 

 has to wait shivering outside the window, with his feathers 

 puffed up, and his little bright eye glancing from the depths of 

 the plumage. 



The nest of this bird is built in a crevice of an old ivied wall, 

 in a bank, sheltered by the roots of trees, or in a mass of ivy 

 clinging to an old tree. The eggs are five in number, of a pale 

 grey colour, profusely marked with reddish spots. 



Sub-family c. Accentorincc. 

 ACCENTOR. (Lat. a Singer.) 



r. 



Modulanus (Lat. icarbling), the Hedge Accentor. 



The HEDGE ACCENTOR, or HEDGE SPARROW, is one of our 

 commonest English birds. It closely resembles the common 

 sparrow in appearance. The nest is built in holes, and con- 

 tains five blue eggs. 



* Abou^ the year 1843, a Robin used to frequent our house. He was so tame as to 

 answer to his name " Bob," and continued his attachment even through the summer. 

 When the rabbits were fed, Bob always came to assist, and usually contrived to 

 perch on the edge of the pan from which the rabbit was eating. Both parties seem- 

 ed perfectly satisfied, and Bunny and Bob always continued very good friends. 



