2g6 



cassell's book of birds. 



soar into the air during the breeding season. Towards man they exhibit the utmost confidence, and 

 are frequently to be seen hopping about close to a party of mountaineers or group of shepherds, quite 

 indifferent to and apparently almost unconscious of the voices and movements around them. Insects, 

 spiders, seeds, and berries constitute their principal food, and they devour grass seed, in particular, in 

 great quantities. The nest, according to Schinz, is commenced early in the spring, and is situated in 



THE alpine ACCENTOR (Accentor Alpinus), 



clefts or holes of the rock, or amid Alpine rose bushes ; sometimes on the roofs of houses, care being 

 generally taken that the little structure is so placed as to be completely sheltered from wind and 

 weather. The nest, which is circular and semi-conical, is three inches both in diameter and in depth ; 

 it is constructed alternately of grass and moss, and lined with wool, hair, or similar materials. The 

 eggs, from four to five in number, are of an oval shape, smooth, and of a blueish green. It is at 

 present undecided whether the female is assisted by her mate in the work of incubation. Two 

 broods are produced in the year, the first in May, the second in July. 



The TITS (Pari), although differing in many respects, resemble each other in most essential 

 particulars. All are of small size, with compact bodies and short limbs. The beak is conical, 



