Birds of Britain 

 THE ALPINE ACCENTOR 



Accentor collaris (Scopoli) 



The Alpine Accentor is an inhabitant of the mountainous 

 regions of Central and Southern Europe, and, like our Hedge 

 Accentor, of very stay-at-home habits, rarely leaving its 

 home until the snow forces it down into the valleys. In 

 England and Wales it has occurred about a dozen times. 



In general colour above it is not unlike the preceding 

 species, but the wing coverts are tipped with white, forming 

 a double bar across the wing. Chin and throat white 

 mottled with black, rest of under parts greyish brown, the 

 flanks mottled with chestnut. Length 7 in. ; wing 4'1 in. 



THE DIPPER 



Cinclus aquaticus, Bechstein 



Wherever a mountain torrent is to be found in these 

 islands we are almost sure to find this bird, as he sits on a 

 boulder which juts out among the rushing water. In shape 

 he resembles the more familiar Wren, but he is essentially 

 a water bird, and seeks most of his food, which consists 

 entirely of aquatic insects and their larvae, in the bed of the 

 stream. 



Diving into the water it reaches the bottom by the aid 

 of both wings and feet, and when there progresses, apparently, 

 by its feet alone. 



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