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 Bryum 

 suhulatum {T>\\\enms) ; 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 httle 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 termination, 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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