BRITISH BIRDS, 35 



Sub-Family Accentorinee. 



GENUS XVII. ACCENTOR, Bechstein (1802). 

 Bill strong, rather conical in shape, tip of upper mandible 

 slightly notched. Wings somewhat rounded; ist quill very 

 small, 3rd usually longest. Feet strong ; hind claw rather 

 long. 



44. Accentor modularis (Linn.). HEDGE-SPARROW. 

 Hab. Europe (except extreme south), north to lat. 70 



in Norway Partially migratory in winter. 



Male : head and nape bluish-grey, spotted with brown ; 

 feathers of back and wing-coverts reddish-brown, with 

 blackish centres ; greater coverts slightly tipped with 

 white ; primaries and tail dusky brown ; throat and 

 breast bluish-slate ; belly whitish ; sides tawny, with 

 dark brown streaks ; bill pale brown, darker at tip ; iris 

 reddish-brown ; feet orange-brown. Length 5*50. Female : 

 duller, slightly smaller, and more closely spotted on head 

 and nape. 



Resident throughout British Isles, north to Inner 

 Hebrides. Familiar nest is placed near the ground in 

 bushes and hedgerows ; composed of green moss, small 

 roots and dry grass, lined with hair and a little wool or 

 feathers. Eggs, 4 or 5 ; immaculate blue ; size 78 by -57. 

 Two or three broods are produced, first eggs being laid at 

 end of March. Song, short, but sweet and tender ; it may 

 be heard from February onward. Usual note, a low, 

 plaintive chirp. 



45. Accentor eollaris (Scop.). ALPINE ACCENTOR. 

 Hab. Mountain ranges of Southern and Central 



Europe ; also Asia Minor and North Persia ; straggling 

 northward in winter. 



P 2 



