HEDGE ACCENTOR. 147 



prettier than the charming httle rustic cradle of the 

 Hedge Accentor. Externally it is made chiefly of moss 

 (though sometimes dry grass predominates), a few dead 

 leaves and a Httle dry grass, amongst which a varying 

 number of twigs arc interwoven ; it is warmly lined with 

 hair, wool, and feathers. I have a nest made externally 

 chiefly of withered leaves and a few bits of lichen, bound 

 together with round, dry grass-stalks and two or three 

 dead twigs ; it is lined principally with moss and a little 

 hair. The Hedge Accentor sits very closely, and when 

 driven off glides very quietly into the cover, without 

 demonstration of any kind. Nests of this species are 

 often made in very exposed and frequented situations. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement: 

 The eggs of the Hedge Accentor are from four to six in 

 number. They are a clear dark turquoise-blue, and 

 without markings. Average measurement, 77 inch in 

 length, by "6 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed by 

 both sexes, lasts from twelve to fourteen days. 



Diagnostic characters : The intense blue colour 

 and absence of spots, combined with the open-sited nest, 

 distinguish the eggs of this species from those of all 

 others likely to be confused with them. 



