The Alpine Accentor. 135 



colonies of from twenty to forty pairs, in which respect it differs very greatly 

 from the Hedge-Accentor. 



The food of this species in spring consists of insects, their larvae, and 

 doubtless of spiders and centipedes, as is the case with all other insect- eating 

 birds ; in autumn it eats various small fruits, and in winter seeds of grasses and 

 other weeds. 



In Germany this species has been kept as a cage-bird, four examples having 

 been exhibited at the sixth show of the "Ornis" Society, in Berlin. Herr Mathias 

 Rausch also remarks that " its song indeed is not specially full of variations, and 

 in its imitations is chiefly limited to the Crested-, Sky-, and Wood-Larks ; at the 

 same time it is of importance for aviculture, and therefore is gladly kept and 

 cherished by fanciers." 



This is all very well for those who only keep a bird in order to hear its 

 song ; but it is infinitely more interesting to watch its habits, and to do this 

 properly the bird must be turned loose into an aviar}'. 



Knowing what I do of the sneaking spitefulness of the common Hedge- 

 Accentor, when associated in an aviary with other birds, I should be verj' chary 

 of turning in the larger and more powerfvil Alpine species. 



In a cage this bird runs like a Chaffinch, or like the Hedge-Accentor, and 

 although I did not see it before it entered my box-trap, I do not hesitate to 

 affirm that I am certain it ran (as well as hopped) in my garden.* 



* When one is at a distance from the birds it is the slinking run, as well as the wing motion, which at 

 once distinguishes the Hedge-Accentor from a true Sparrow. 



L2 



