THE HEDGE-ACCENTORS. 307 



Recorded by Heuglin as wintering as far south as Arabia Petraea. 

 In Palestine, according to Canon Tristram, it is a resident. 



Habits. — Although not a real Sparrow, as its English name 

 would suggest, the familiar title by which this little bird is uni- 

 versally known must be preferred to the more correct one of 

 Hedge-Accentor, which properly describes its relationships. 

 It has been too long known as the "Hedge-Sparrow" for any ad- 

 vantage to accrue from a change of English name. In all other 

 respects except that of the similarity of colouring of the upper 

 surface, it is quite different from the Sparrows, and as regards 

 voice, nesting-habits, colour of eggs, etc., it has nothing in 

 common with the latter birds. 



Like the Robin, the Hedge-Sparrow seeks the society of 

 man, and is as frequent a pensioner in winter as that w r ell- 

 known type of Avian familiarity. The nest, too, is frequently 

 to be found in our gardens, and is one of the first to be built 

 in the year, as it is sometimes found as early as March. A 

 clipped yew-hedge is a favourite shelter for the nest, but it is 

 placed in all kinds of situations, though never at any great 

 height from the ground. Hedge-rows and tangled thickets on 

 commons are also selected as nesting-sites : we have also found 

 the nest in furze-bushes, while it is sometimes placed in ivy or 

 even against a tree-trunk. The late Robert Gray mentions his 

 having found a nest in a cave on Ailsa Craig, placed in a ledge 

 of rock at the base of a tuft of hart's-tongue fern, the floor of 

 the cave being covered with water. 



The food of the Hedge-Sparrow consists almost entirely of 

 worms and insects, but it will also, like the Robin, occasionally 

 feed on grain in the winter. It sings all through the year, a 

 poor little song, but cheerful enough when heard through the 

 dismal days of winter, when the bird frequents the neighbour- 

 hood of houses. 



Nest. — Composed almost entirely of moss, with a few sticks, 

 roots, and dry grass, but the chief material used is moss, which 

 sometimes forms the lining. Very often, however, the latter 

 consists of wool with hair and feathers. 



Eggs. — From four to six in number. Entirely greenish-blue, with- 

 out any spots. The shell is rough and not so shiny or so brittle as 

 the egg of the Redstart. Axis, 07-0-8 inch; diam., 0-55-0-6. 



x 2 



