ACCENTOR. INSESSORES. ACCENTOR. 249 



out the kingdom, and is also a permanent resident here. It 

 is only known in France during the winter, and its range 

 does not extend below that latitude. It draws to the neigh- 

 bourhood of villages or farm-houses for refuge during the se- 

 verity of the winter's season, procuring its subsistence about 

 the doors, or gleaning from the produce of the stack-yards, 

 which then form its chief supply. 



The male begins his song very early in the year ; and these 

 birds usually pair in the beginning of February, after which 

 they retire to the woods, and other situations more remote 

 from the habitation of man. The nest is, in most years, Nest,&c.- 

 finished in March; is formed of moss and wool intermingled, 

 with a lining of hair, and is well secluded from sight in some 

 thick evergreen, whin-bush, or closely trimmed hedge. The 

 eggs, four or five in number, are of a fine clear greenish- 

 blue. 



During summer this bird feeds upon insects, worms, and Food, 

 the seeds of grasses and other plants, as they ripen through- 

 out the season. It pours forth by no means a contemptible 

 song, the notes possessing variety, sweetness, and depth of 

 tone ; and the early period of the year, at which it usually 

 commences, renders it doubly acceptable. It appears from 

 MONTAGU, that, in the south of England, the nest of this 

 bird is frequently chosen by the Cuckoo as the depository for 

 its egg. 



PLATE 43*. Fig. 4. Natural size. 



Top of the head grey, streaked with brown. Sides of the General 

 neck, throat, and breast bluish-grey. Back and wing descrip- 

 coverts yellowish-brown ; the centre of each feather 

 being liver-brown. Middle wing-coverts tipped with 

 white on their outer webs. Rump and flanks yellowish- 

 brown. Belly greyish-white. Lower tail-coverts brown, 

 bordered with white. Legs and toes deep yellowish- 

 brown; strong. 

 The female is similar in plumage to the male bird. 



