Nest, &c. 
Food. 
Song. 
General 
descrip- 
tion. 
206 PASSERES. ACCENTOR. Henpcr-Accenror. 
Provincial, Dick-Dunnock, Titling, Foolish Sparrow. 
The Hedge Accentor (more generally known by the name 
of the Hedge Sparrow) is a very abundant species through- 
out the kingdom, and is also a permanent resident here. It is 
only known in France during the winter, and its range does 
not extend below that latitude. It draws to the neighbour- 
hood of villages or farm-houses for refuge during the severity 
of the winter’s season, procuring its subsistence about the 
doors, or gleaning from the produce of the stack-yards, which 
then form its chief supply. 
The male begins his song very early in the year ; and these 
birds usually pair in the beginning of February, after which 
they retire to the woods, and other situations more remote 
from the habitation of man.—The nest is, in most years, fi-. 
nished in March; is formed of moss and wool intermingled, 
with a lining of hair, and is well secluded from sight in some 
thick evergreen, whin-bush, or closely trimmed hedge. The 
eggs, four or five in number, are of a fine clear greenish- 
blue. 
During summer this bird feeds upon insects, worms, and 
the seeds of grasses and other plants, as they ripen through- 
out the season.—It pours forth by no means a contemptible 
song, the notes possessing variety, sweetness, and depth of 
tone; and the early period of the year, at which it usually 
commences, renders it doubly acceptable. It appears from 
Monracu, that, in the south of England, the nest of this 
bird is frequently chosen by the cuckoo as the depository for 
its egg. 
PiateE 43 *. Fig. 4. Natural size. 
Top of the head grey, streaked with brown. Sides of the 
neck, throat, and breast bluish-grey. Back and wing 
coverts yellowish-brown ; the centre of each feather be- 
ing liver-brown. Middle wing-coverts tipped with 
white on their outer webs. Rump and flanks yellowish- 
brown. Belly greyish-white. Lower tail-coverts brown, 
