298 SYLVIID.E. 



he watched one for about a quarter of an hour on one of the 

 highest Welsh mountams, most admirably refraining from 

 shooting it or even mentioning the fact to his guide. 



The Alpine Accentor is not uncommon in the moun- 

 tainous parts of Central and Southern Europe, especially 

 the Alps and Pyrenees, frequenting the higher elevations 

 during summer, but seeldng the valleys in winter. As a 

 straggler, it has been observed in Heligoland and near 

 Antwerp. In Germany, according to Dr. Borggreve, it is a 

 semi-migrant in the brushwood-regions of the Silesian moun- 

 tains. Dr. Zawadzki states that it breeds at a height of 

 above 4,000 feet in the Central Carpathians and in Bukovina, 

 but Herr Jeitteles says it is rare in Upper Hungary. 

 Whether it occurs in the Russian dominions cannot be stated, 

 for though Dr. von Middendorflf says he obtained it on the 

 Sea of Ochotsk, Mr. Swinhoe refers the specimens to a 

 distinct species. De Filippi observed it on Demavend, and 

 this is the most eastern locality which can be at present 

 with certainty assigned to it. Col. Drummond-Hay says 

 that it breeds in Crete, where he saw it, but only amongst 

 the snow of the Sfakian range. Lord Lilford found it in 

 Epirus ; and Von der Miihle and Dr. Lindermayer give it as 

 occurring on the mainland of Greece, though unknown in the 

 islands — the latter believing it to be resident, and to breed 

 among the mountains. It also inhabits Italy, and is occa- 

 sionally met with in Sicily. In Sardinia it would seem to 

 occur more regularly. It is said to be common in Southern 

 Spain, and occurs, though rarely, in Portugal. 



The food of this species consists of insects and berries, 

 and in winter of small seeds, some of which are said to give 

 its flesh a peculiar flavour. 



This bird does not frequent bushes, nor perch on trees ; 

 but is almost always observed to be on rocks or on the 

 ground, and is remarkable for its constant tameness, being 

 apparently regardless of man. This disposition has been 

 noticed in nearly all the examples seen in this country, for 

 they allowed observers to approach unusually close to them, 

 and when at last obliged to move, made very short flights. 



