THE ALPINE ACCENTOR. G9 



The hedge sparrow remains with us all the 

 winter, and is common in all parts of England, 

 building its nest as early as March. This is 

 usually placed in some bush, which being yet 

 bare, leaves it exposed to danger, so that the blue 

 eggs which it contains are an easy prey to the 

 young bird-nester, and are among the most nu- 

 merous of these treasures which arc threaded and 

 hung up in cottages. The nest so easily found is 

 often used by the cuckoo, as a home in which to 

 place her egg, whicli being afterwards hatched by 

 the fostering care of the unconscious warbler, it 

 is commonly said that the hedge sparrow is the 

 cuckoo's best friend. 



An allied species to this, the Alpine Accentor,* 

 [Accentor alphius,) is too rarely seen in our island 

 to deserve a lengthened notice. It is a common 

 bird on the Swiss Alps, and often pleases the car 

 of the traveller who wanders over the mountains, 

 and stops to share tlie hospitality of the monks 

 of St. Bernard. Unlike its congener, the Hedge 

 Accentor, it does not perch on trees or bushes, but 



* The Alpine Accentor much resembles the Hedge Sparrow, 

 but is rather larger, and may be readily distinguished by its 

 white throat, studded with small black spots. 



