136 British Birds, with their Nests and Eggs. 



Accentor, when associated in an aviary with other birds, I should be very chary 

 of turning in the larger and more powerful Alpine Species. 



In a cage this bird runs like a Chaf&nch, or like the Hedge- Accentor, and 

 although I did not see it before it entered my box-trap, I do not hesitate to afl&rm 

 that I am certain it ran (as well as hopped) in my garden.* 



FAMILY CINCLID^. 



WE now come to the second family of the Passeres, represented in Great 

 Britain by one resident species only, belonging to the typical genus 

 Cinclus. 



All Ornithologists do not, however, agree with Mr. Howard Saunders as to 

 the validity of the family Cinclida ; for Mr. Seebohm placed the Dippers among 

 the Thrush-like birds Turdina, stating that they " may be distinguished from the 

 true Thrushes by their short concave wings fitting tightly to the body, and their 

 dense plumage adapted to their aquatic habits." 



On the other hand Dr. Sharpe refers Cinclus to the end of the Subfamily 

 TroglodytincE or Wren-like birds, a group which they certainly resemble in their 

 domed mossy nests and white eggs, atd to which also they have a slight likeness. 



Perhaps, until the Doctors of this science have definitely established the 

 natural position of the Dippers beyond all dispute, by careful dissection of their 

 clothing, body, bones, and (having completed the dry bones) of the life-history, 

 including song, call-note, alarm-note, and note of indignation ; until, I say, all this 

 has been done, perhaps it will be most convenient to regard the Dippers as con- 

 stituting a distinct family. 



As in the Wrens the wings and tail are short, the first quill being very 

 short, the outer toe of the tarsus is also connected at the base with the middle 

 toe; but the bill is somewhat different, the tip of the upper mandible being 

 slightly curved over, whereas that of a Wren is pointed ; altogether the Troglo- 

 dytincs characters are very strong, and Dr. Sharpe gives us yet another, as follows : — 



* When one is at a distance from the birds it is the slinking run, as -well as the wing motion, which at 

 once distinguishes the Hedge-Sparrow from a true Sparrow. 



