ALPINE ACCENTOR.— HEDGE SPARROW. 51 



appeared roimcl the corner of the hoiise^ and I could not tind 

 it again. 1 liave lost the date. My attention was called to 

 it by its shambling gait, and by the bright chestnut colour 

 of its sides. 



In Yarrell's 'British Birds/ vol. i. p. 297, it is thus 

 written : — " Mr. Porter states {' Zoologist/ p. 5958) that on 

 December 26th, 1857, two were shot on the Downs near 

 Lewes, and Mr. Dennis, writing to me respecting the same 

 specimens^ informs me that they were shot near Hailsham." 



HEDGE SPARROW. 



Accentor modularis. 



This generally diffused and unobtrusive little bird is one of 

 the tamest and most familiar of all the inhabitants of our 

 gardens, and is fond of frequenting the immediate precincts 

 of our dwellings, where it diligently searches the drains and 

 sewers, &c. Notwithstanding its peaceful disposition, it 

 generally manages to hold its own very well in the 

 numerous contests with its fellow pensioners for the food 

 thrown out of Avindow for the birds in general, in the winter. 

 It is extremely hardy, never seeming to shift its locality in 

 the severest weather, and even when the ground is covered 

 with snow, it may be heard uttering its simple but cheering 

 little song. "Whether its note is of a sufficiently distinguished 

 order to entitle it to its specific name " Modularis " I cannot 

 say, but that it is a welcome addition to the monotony of a 

 wintry morning I think will be readily admitted by all. 



Its food consists principally of insects and vegetable 

 matter. It has a peculiar habit of continually fiirting up 

 its wings as it moves about, which has given rise to the pro- 

 vincial name of '' Shufflewing/^ but in this county it is 

 generally known as the " Hedgepick.'^ 



e2 



