46 OUR IRISH SONG BIRDS. 



the rocks, and, according to Mr. Dixon, never in a tree 

 or bush ; frequently quite close to the rocks, and washed 

 by the spray of the dashing water. On one occasion it 

 is said to have built its nest in a crevice in a wall at 

 the back of a " lasher" in the lock of a canal, dashing 

 through the stream with great zest, to reach its unique 

 home. The nest is domed like a Wren's, and in it the 

 Dipper lays her pure white eggs, usually from four to 

 six in number. 



Mr. Ussher tells us that the Dipper breeds in every 

 county in Ireland but Longford. 



HEDGE SPARROW. 



Accentor modularis ; Accenteur Mouchet ; Heckenbran- 

 nelle ; Boeren-nactigall (Dutch), " Farmer's Nightingale'' 



Hedge Accentor; Hedge Warbler; Dunnock; Cuddy; 

 Reefogue ; Black Wren ; Shuffle Wing ; Winter Fauvette. 



Bill, dark brown ; claws, black ; head, nape, and sides 

 of neck, bluish-grey ; back and wings, reddish-brown ; 

 chin, throat, and chest, grey. Length, five inches and 

 a-half. 



This is one of the best known and least appreciated 

 of our Irish Song Birds, and yet it has many claims to 

 our kindly notice and regard. Modest, gentle, and 

 retiring, the word " unobtrusive" seems best to describe 

 both its habits and its plumage of sober brown and 

 bluish-grey. It is common everywhere in Ireland, and 

 indeed in all parts of the United Kingdom, but is said to 

 have been captured but once in the Shetland Isles. It 

 is plentiful around all our large towns, and may be heard 



