The Hedge Accentor 



circular in shape and somewhat deep. Here are laid four 

 eggs of a beautiful blue with no spots or blotches to mar 

 the purity of the colour : altogether this little home is in its 

 quiet way one of the most beautiful of our common natural 

 objects ; but — " it is only a sparrow," and the passer-by 

 either destroys it or goes on without a thought for our little 

 friend or the beauty of his home. When his mate begins 

 her tedious business of incubation he attends to her wants 

 with unremitting care, bringing her any delicacies in the 

 shape of insects, flies, and caterpillars he can find. The 

 young at first look like balls of down, and when they open 

 bright orange-coloured mouths they are quickly filled with 

 what is apparently a favourite food — luscious green cater- 

 pillars. When they leave the nest the young wear a dull 

 mottled brown plumage, and without more ado take their 

 place in the world around, and lead a quiet unobtrusive life 

 near the home where they were bred, till their end comes 

 by some natural means, or till their career for good is 

 suddenly cut off and they are shot as being " only 

 sparrows " ! 



The sexes are nearly alike, the head, nape, chin, throat, 

 and upper breast are slate grey, rest of the upper parts 

 rufous brown, with darker streaks ; flanks brown streaked 

 with darker, belly white. The female is slightly duller. 

 The young are brown, spotted with buff all over. Length 

 5*5 in. ; wing 2*75 in. 



This is a numerous species throughout our islands. 



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