254 ACCENTOR MODULARIS. 



ment, in a sort of crouching posture, looking intently on the 

 ground, and every now and then pick up some small article, 

 apparently too minute for us to perceive it were we quite close 

 to it. Quietly, peaceably, and industriously they search among 

 the tiny protuberances of the soil, gently raising and shaking 

 their wings as they proceed. A person passes within a few yards 

 of them, and yet they merely move a little way off, or quietly 

 hop into the bush, where they frisk about among the branches. 

 A pert Robin drops in among them, and they disperse, not 

 liking so troublesome a companion, but they shew no fear of 

 the Sparrows that have perched beside them, nor of the Thrush 

 that stands on one of the branches. They sometimes pick up 

 the small crumbs that are scattered near the door ; but fami- 

 liar and gentle as they are, they never enter the house, in the 

 most severe weather, or under any enticement. 



At all seasons these birds are seen in the gardens, and by 

 the hedges, near houses ; but during winter and spring they 

 are much more numerous there, for those which in summer 

 preferred remote places, then approach the habitations of man, 

 although some still keep aloof. Hawthorn hedges are their 

 favourite haunts, and on the ground along their bases they 

 search for small seeds and insects, frequently making short 

 pedestrian excursions into the fields on the one hand, or the 

 footpath on the other. They flit about among the bushes with 

 great liveliness, often running along the ground, and seldom 

 perching on the upper branches. Owing to the dulness of 

 their colouring, and the celerity with which they take shelter, 

 they are not very readily perceived ; but they can scarcely be 

 called shy under any circumstances, and they often allow a 

 person to approach within a few yards, or even feet, without 

 shewing any apprehension. Even in winter they are not at 

 all gregarious, for you seldom find more than two or three to- 

 gether, and it is very rare to see two flying in the same direc- 

 tion. Their flights are generally very short, and without un- 

 dulation. 



After the middle of spring, they are less frequently seen 

 about houses ; and at all seasons they are to be found in hedges 

 and among bushes, seldom appearing in open ground or upon 



