THE ACCENTOR MODULARIS, OR HEDGE-SPARROW. 291 
better pretensions to such a character than the hedge- 
sparrow. I have often thought that this bird, the 
chaffinch, and some others, obtain much of their sup- 
port in the winter and spring seasons, especially when 
the ground is covered with snow, by feeding upon the 
capsules or fertile heads of various mosses, having fre- 
quently noticed them pecking and masticating some- 
thing upon the walls and in such places where these 
plants abound, and nothing besides, that could afford 
subsistence to any animated creature, particularly Brywm 
subulatum (Dillenius); and these races perfect their 
capsules principally during those periods in which other 
matter, which could afford them sustenance, is sparingly 
found. The object of the existence of many of these 
_ lowly plants has been considered as obscure, and their 
profusion a general subject of admiration. If this 
conjecture is correct, that they afford nutriment to 
these poor little creatures in a season of destitution, it 
affords us another instance of the benevolence of their 
Creator, extending, as far as we can perceive, through 
every department of creation: we cannot trace this 
chain, because we are ignorant of consequences, nor 
perceive the terminaticn, because it is of infinite dura- 
tion ; but to attest any perception of wisdom and of 
goodness is a laudable and a just homage of the 
creature who observes it.” * From this account we 
gather the following facts : —1. That the hedge-sparrow 
““is a most domestic bird ;’’ evincing an innate and 
peculiar attachment to the haunts of man, feeding and 
building near his habitation, and by its familiarity 
courting his protection. 2. That its disposition is 
social towards its own species. 3. That its nest is built 
with little art. 4. That its plumage is plain, and that it 
seeks its food upon the ground ; living as much upon 
seeds as upon insects. 
(354.) Let us now enquire how far these peculiarities 
can be explained, and in what manner they are in 
unison with the station occupied by this bird, in the 
* Journal of a Naturalist, p. 148—150. 
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