158 
SYLVIADiE. 
plumage of which was entirely of a cream-colour of one shade, 
and the under plumage of a paler hue. It had for a long time fre- 
quented nursery grounds near Clonmel, where some dozen shots 
were from time to time fired at it ; — a penalty for showing false 
colours. As correctly remarked by Mr. Macgillivray, accidental 
varieties of this species are extremely rare. The bill and legs of 
the hedge-accentor are occasionally in this country, as well as else- 
where, covered with large excrescences, like those described in the 
Magazine of Natural History, vol. vi. p. 154, and by the author 
last named, p. 256. The stomach of one examined in January, 
contained the seeds of vetches and fragments of stone. 
The Alpine Accentor ( Accentor alpinus) has, in a very few in- 
stances, been taken in England, but not as yet in Scotland or Ireland. 
I have commonly met with it in the months of June and July, on the 
perpetual snow of the lofty Alps of Switzerland, as towards the sum- 
mit of Mount St. Gothard, the Grimsel, Col de.Eour, &c. ; single 
birds, or a couple near to each other, but not in company, generally 
appeared. 
THE REDBREAST. 
Robin. 
Erythaca rubecula , Linn, (sp.) 
Motacilla „ ,, 
Sylvia ,, Lath. 
Is very common, and is resident. 
Well known as are its habits, a few notes illustrative of them, as 
observed in the neighbourhood of Belfast may be selected ; and 
first, with regard to its familiarity . In the very mild winter of 
1831-32 a redbreast very frequently joined a friend and his lady 
residing at Milltown in the Ealls, at breakfast; without invitation 
it ate of the bread and butter on the table, and when not so em- 
ployed, made itself quite at home by perching on the toasting- 
fork at the fire. In summer it built in one of the out-houses, 
and visited the kitchen daily ; its song was in August poured 
forth in the hall. In this house, also, a redbreast once built its 
