THE SINGING BIRDS. 



293 



true Singing Birds and the strong-beaked granivorous races, more especially the Larks. They are 

 recognisable by their powerful body, moderate-sized or long wing, in which the third or fourth quill 

 exceeds the rest in length, as also by their short, broad tail, strong foot, armed with powerful toes, 

 and much-curved claws. The conical awl-shaped beak turns inwards at its margins, and the nostrils 

 are covered with a skin ; the plumage is lax, and formed of feathers of a relatively large size ; the 



THE MENINTING (Eiiicitnts coronntits). 



sexes are alike in appearance, but the coloration of the young diners considerably from that of the 

 adult birds. Only two species of Accentors can properly be regarded as European, the rest inhabit 

 Asia, and are generally seen hopping over the ground or flying very low, in search of the insects, 

 berries, or delicate seeds upon which they subsist; they never frequent lofty trees, or even tall shrubs, 

 except during the breeding season, when the males occasionally perch upon low branches, whilst 

 pouring out their, in most cases, very agreeable song. As winter approaches some species wander 

 southward, while others merely quit the bleakest and most exposed peaks for their rocky fastnesses. 

 Incubation takes place early in the spring, and two broods are generally produced in the course of 

 the summer. Their nests are carefully and neatly built of moss and hay, and lined with some soft 

 and elastic materials. The eggs, from three to six in number, are of greenish hue. 



