io8 WARBLERS. 



The Redstarts {Ruticilla) likewise belong to this family. These birds 

 are to be found in various parts of the Old World. They are all active, rest- 

 less, and solitary, frequenting wooded places, gardens, old walls, and buildings. 

 Their food consists of insects and berries, which they generally seek for on 

 the ground ; and while thus engaged, especially after feeding, they occasion- 

 ally spread out their tail, and jerk it up and down in a very peculiar manner. 

 Their nest is built in the crevices of old walls or in holes of decayed trees, 

 and constructed of moss lined internally with hair and feathers. The female 

 usually lays six or eight eggs. 



Sub-Family IV. 

 THE ACCENTORS. ACCENTORIN.^.* 



General Characteristics. — Bill short, straight, and sometimes conical, with the 

 culmen sloping, and the sides compressed to the tip, which is slighdy emarginated ; 

 the nostrils basal, and placed in a membranous groove with the opening exposed ; 

 wings more or less long, pointed, and sometimes rounded ; the tad moderate, and 

 generally rather rounded ; taj-si moderate and rather strong ; toes rather long, the 

 outer toe united at its base, the hind toe long and armed with a strong claw. 



The birds composing this sub-family inhabit both Europe and 

 Asia, migrating according to the season of the year. They are to 

 be seen beneath low bushes, searching for worms among the fallen 

 leaves and stones ; they also feed on seeds and insects of various 

 kinds. Some species, should the winter be severe, repair to the 

 neighbourhood of farms and villages. Their song, which consists 

 of various notes, is sweet, though feeble, and commences -early in 

 the season. The nest, generally hidden in a thick bush, is formed 

 of moss and wool, lined with hair. The female lays from four to 



six CfTcrs 



The typical species — 



The Alpine Accentor {Accentor Alpimts), inhabits the Alps and Pyre- 

 nees, where it selects for its retreat the most unfrequented places in those wUd 

 mountains. In iho. paiois of the regions it frequents it is called Pcgot or Pec, 

 which means an idiot, and its claims to the name seem fully justified by its 

 remarkable stupidity. These birds never leave their native mountains except 

 when their desolate abode is swept by some storm or tempest, to escape from 

 which they precipitate themselves into the valleys, hide in the rifts of the rocks, 

 or take refuge among the bushes, where, either from fright or simplicity, they 

 even become the sport of children, who amuse themselves by killing them with 

 stitks. On the summits of the mountains they may be seen by the adventurous 

 pedestrian sitting in pairs upon the ground, or climbing among the rocks with 

 the assistance of their wings. The approach of man does not seem to frighten 

 them, neither will they take the trouble to get out of his way. These birds 



* Accentor, one who joins another in singing. 



