200 The Naturalist in Siluria. 



trusive ways, and the confidence it shows in man. Even 

 the robin itself is not tamer or more familiar round many 

 a homestead. Still the Hedge-threader has its faults, 

 slight imperfections of character ; for though a soft-billed, 

 insectivorous bird, it is also graminivorous, and just 

 now does considerable damage in the seed-beds of the 

 kitchen garden. But for this it gives compensation, and 

 far more, by destroying swarms of other seed and leaf 

 consumers. 



Viewed from a distance, the Hedge-threader appears a 

 bird of sober, even sombre, hue. But take it in your hand, 

 and you will discover a pretty mottling of colours, which, 

 though dull, by their pleasing, regular arrangement, com- 

 bined with the smooth trim set of its feathers, go far to 

 redeem their want of brilliancy. This bird is one of those 

 subject to erratic colouring of plumage, or, as commonly 

 called, Albinoism. A specimen I am possessed of is of a 

 beautiful buff from beak to tip of tail, with an edging of 

 white on the wing primaries and secondaries, as also on 

 the outside tail feathers. A very handsome bird it is, 

 and no one not told would think of its being a " Blue 

 Isaac." 



Coming to the Hedge-threader's eggs, if splendour has 

 been denied to the bird itself, these have it bestowed on 

 them to an incomparable degree, as every nest-robbing 

 boy but too well knows. There are few prettier sights 

 in nature than the nest, with its precious treasures, 

 rivalling the best blue of the turquoise. 



