THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE HEDGEROWS. 145 



sometimes select one high up in the branches of trees. 

 The nest up to a certain stage is undistinguishable from 

 that of the Song Thrush, being identical in construction 

 up to the lining of mud or clay. No wood is used, but 

 this cup is finally lined with fine dead grass. The nest 

 is left a little time to dry, and soon becomes very firm 

 and compact. The five bluish green eggs spotted and 

 freckled with light and dark brown and violet gray are 

 known to almost every wanderer along the hedge-side. 



Another thorough little bird of the hedgerows is the 

 Hedge Accentor. He frequents these places throughout 

 the entire year, and when the earliest spring days arrive 

 he is one of the first birds to commence nest-building. 

 A favourite haunt of the Hedge Accentor is the garden 

 hedge, or one that is cropped short and grows very thick 

 and impenetrable. Throughout such a hedge the fallen 

 leaves accumulate in big masses, looking for all the world 

 like nests, and the Accentor seems to know this full well 

 for often indeed its cradle is passed by, none but the 

 sharpest eyes distinguishing it from the lodgments of 

 withered leaves. As soon as the tiny emerald green 

 buds begin to burst, and the brown expanse of hedge is 

 tinged with the very faintest shadow of green, the Hedge 

 Accentor begins to build its nest. The rustic beauty of 

 this structure is great. In the first place the nest is 

 composed of green moss, fine twigs, dead leaves, and a 

 few straws and bents, cemented with cobwebs (which are 



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