HEDGE-SPARROW. 



301 



PASSERES. 



ACCENTOR MODULARIS (Linnaeus *). 



THE HEDGE-SPARROW. 



Accentor modularis. 



THE HEDGE-SPARROW, or Dunnock as it is called in many 

 parts of the country, is generally diffused over the British 

 Islands, except the bleakest of the Hebrides. In Orkney 

 it is, however, only an autumnal visitor, and in Shetland it 

 seems to have been only once observed. 



In this country it is resident throughout the year, fre- 

 quenting woods, hedge-rows and gardens, where, from spring 

 to autumn, it feeds indiscriminately on insects, worms and 

 seeds, but not on fruit ; drawing nearer to the habitations of 

 men as winter approaches, to gain such scanty subsistence as 

 chance or kindness may afford ; and Gilbert White truly re- 

 marks, that it is a frequenter of gutters and drains in hard 

 weather, where crumbs and other sweepings may be picked 

 up. It is unobtrusive and harmless, of an amiable disposi- 

 tion, and deserves protection and support. 



* Motacilla modularis, Linnseus, Syst. Nat. Ed. 12, i. p. 329 (1766). 



