320 INSECTIVOR^E. 



THE TITLING (Accentor). 



There is one species of this genus a resident British bird, 

 and a very common and familiar one the " hedge-sparrow," 

 " hedge- warbler," or dunnock (Accentor modularis). It is 

 neither a sparrow nor a warbler, and it is certainly not the 

 only " dun-coloured" bird in the country ; so that titling is 

 the least exceptionable name, and it also partly expresses the 

 common cry of the bird, which is teet, sounded short. 



The word " tit" means " little," and is used as part of the 



and each pair occupies exclusively a certain range along, the river, as we 

 have often observed, beyond which, into the territories of another pair, 

 they do not appear to intrude. In their habits and manners they are 

 peculiarly lively and animated, flitting incessantly from stone to stone, 

 round which the rushing water sweeps like a mimic torrent. Before 

 starting, and on alighting, they dip the head and jerk the tail in an odd 

 sort of manner; ever and anon plunging into the stream, and emerging 

 at a considerable distance. 



The nest of the water-ouzel is so artfully concealed, that it cannot 

 easily be discovered unless by watching the birds as they visit and return 

 from it. We have seen it in the fissure of a low, jutting crag, over- 

 hanging the rushing and bubbling current, and also between the green 

 damp stones of a rude dilapidated bridge. The structure itself is com- 

 posed of intertwined mosses, and is of large size and domed, with a small, 

 lateral aperture leading to the interior chamber, which is lined with a few 

 dried leaves. Sometimes we have seen it so placed that the sheet of 

 water falling from an elevated rock and forming a cascade, completely 

 screens it. But wherever situated, it blends with the rest of the moss 

 and lichen, which spreads over the humid rocks in great luxuriance. 



This species is abundant in Ireland, and Mr. Thompson well observes 

 that with the romantic and picturesque i scenery, this bird is essentially 

 associated; it frequents the rock-enclosed dell, where the stream dashes 

 and foams along, eddying round masses of stone, or hurrying down 

 rapids or rocky steeps, but when the stream emerges into the lower 

 country and loses its rapidity, it ceases to have attractions for the water- 

 ouzel. 



We have never observed any tiling which can be characterized as help- 

 less in the flight of this bird, and few perhaps are more intimately 

 acquainted with its habits; nor can we imagine that any person observing 

 it could entertain the slightest hope of being able to capture it. It is 

 restless, quick, and alert, flying low, but rapidly over the bubbling water. 

 r-M, 



