96 HEDGE-SPARROW 



(cf. Hartert, British Birds, iii. p. 315). It is very generally distributed and 

 sedentary throughout Great Britain and Ireland, and owing to the increased area 

 of woodland in Scotland has increased in numbers even in the north. It breeds 

 now regularly in the Orkneys, the Inner Hebrides, and on some of the Outer 

 Hebrides (nests were found on Barra in 1892), but is absent from the Shetlands. 

 In Ireland it is one of the most generally distributed birds, and breeds even on the 

 marine islands (Ussher). [F. B. c. J.] 



3. Migration. There is no evidence of migration beyond our shores, but 

 in the autumn there may possibly be southerly movements within the British area. 

 The autumn immigrants from abroad belong to the Continental form. [A. L. T.] 



4. Nest and Eggs. Nesting site : generally among evergreen bushes, 

 thick hedgerows, stick heaps, and occasionally in ivy or hollows in old walls, stony 

 banks, etc. The characteristic nest is chiefly composed of moss and dead grasses, 

 upon a foundation of fine twigs, and is warmly lined with hair and wool as a rule, 

 and exceptionally with feathers. The cock is said to assist the hen in building, but 

 more evidence is required. Eggs, usually 4 or 5 in number, in some districts only 3, 

 and rarely 6. They are a beautiful deep, clear blue in colour, without markings, 

 but white varieties have occasionally been found. (PI. C.) Average size of 100 eggs, 

 78 x -58 in. [19-8 x 14'7 mm.]. The eggs are often found towards the end of March 

 in the south and early in April in the north. Incubation, which lasts from 11 to 13 

 days, is said to be performed by both sexes, but our information is very defective. 

 At least two broods are regularly reared, and often a third. [F. c. R. J.] 



5. Food. Insects, spiders, and seeds. That the species eat worms has been 

 disputed. A number have been seen together feeding among beds of seaweed and 

 rocks upon a small species of shrimp (Country Life, 1906, Dec. 1). The diet is 

 probably more varied than is supposed, but exact evidence is lacking. The young 

 are fed by both parents, chiefly, at least, on insects. [F. B. K.] 



6. Song Period. Chiefly in the spring, but the song may be heard at all 

 seasons, least frequently during the period of moult, July- August. [F. B. K.] 



CONTINENTAL HEDGE-SPARROW [Accentor modularis 

 modularis (Linnaeus). Prunella modularis modularis (Linnaeus). 



I. Description. Distinguished from the British form by its lighter colour, 

 the throat and chest being of a lighter grey, the abdomen more whitish, the flanks 

 slightly lighter, so that the brown stripes are more evident. In the coloration of 

 the upper surface there is no constant difference. These colour differences are more 



