HEDGE-SPARROW 



27 



scarcely a hedge-row where it has not found a resting place. It 

 always seems to live in pairs, and remains with us through the 

 winter. In the earliest days of spring, its low, plaintive chirp, and 

 the peculiar shake of the wings, which is always characteristic of 

 this bird, tells the schoolboy that he may look for its nest and its 

 pretty blue eggs. As it is nearly the first bird that forms a nest, 

 and this being placed in a hedge still bare and leafless, with little 

 art displayed in its concealment, it forms a tempting booty to every 

 prying boy ; but as the Hedge-sparrow rears two, or even three 

 broods in succession, the later nests are more securely shielded. 



"The Robin and the Wren often get the credit of his sweet 

 minstrelsy," says Mr. Evans, " as he pours forth his sweet and lively 

 song, from the seclusion of a low hedge or bush." 



Many a sweeter voice than mine 

 Sounds in the summer bower ; 

 And birds in gayer plumage shine, 



Or sing with deeper power : 

 But do not turn your eye away 



Because I'm brown and plain ; 

 Nor scorn the simple songster's lay, 

 Though sung in lowly strain. 



Evans — Songs of the Birds. 



The Cuckoo is very apt to deposit her egg in the nest of the 

 Hedge-sparrow, to the destruction of the bird's own offspring. 

 Shakespeare alludes to this : — 



The Hedge-sparrow fed the Cuckoo so long, 

 That it had it's head bit off by its young. 



King Lear. 



[Accentor collaris — Alpine Accentor.] 

 Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Essex, Devon, Gloucestershire, 



and V/ales. 



[Sub-family — Mimin^e.] 



[Genus — Mimus.] 



[MiMUS POLYGLOTTUS — Northern Mocking Bird.] 



Escaped from a cage probably. 



