9 6 



BRITISH NESTING BIRDS 



SNIPE, COMMON (Gallinago ccelestis) 



Local Names. — Air Goat, Full Snipe, Heather-Bleat, Hoarse 



Gowk, Mire Snipe, Moor Lamb, Snite, Summer Lamb, Whole 



Snipe. 

 Haunt. — Marshy places, mudflats, etc. 

 Nesting Period. — April or early May. 

 Site of Nest. — On the ground, usually 



hidden among herbage. 

 Materials Used. — A few pieces of sedge 



or grass. 

 Eggs. — Four. Greenish-olive, blotched 



with dark brown. 

 Food. — Insects and worms. 

 Voice. — Various cries and calls, and a 



peculiar "bleating" sound, which 



is caused by the vibration of the 



wings and tail. 

 Chief Features. — The quick, erratic 



flight, and " drumming " or " bleating " above referred to. 

 Plumage. — Mottled-black and chestnut-brown; white and dusky 



bars on flanks; white underneath. Length. — Ten and a half 



inches. 



Fig. 36. Head'and Foot of 

 Common Snipe. 



SPARROW, HEDGE (Accentor nodularis) 



Local Names. — Billy, T Black Wren, Blue Isaac, Blue Jamie, Blue 

 Sparrow, * Blue Tom, Bush Sparrow, Creepie, Cuddy, Dick 

 Dunnock, Dicky, Doney, Dunnock, Dykesmavler, Dykie, Field 

 Sparrow, Foolish Sparrow, Grosbeak, Hatcher, Hazock, Hedge 

 Accentor, Hedge Bettie, Hedge Chanter, Hedge Chat, Hedge 

 Chicken, Hedge Creeper, Hedge Mike, Hedge Warbler, Hempie, 

 Mufntie, Phip, Pinnock, Shuffle-Wing, Titling, Whin Sparrow, 

 Winter Fauvette. 



Haunt. — Hedgerows and gardens. 



Nesting Period. — March to July. 



Site of Nest. — Hedges and bushes. 



Materials Used. — Moss, twigs, grass, 



Eggs. — Four to Six. Bright blue. 



Food. — Insects, smaU'worms, seeds, 



Voice. — A pretty, continuous warble; little varied but cheery. 

 Also a monotonous " cheep, cheep." 



Chief Features. — A common British bird, distinguished by steel-grey 

 and brown dress. Quite distinct from the House Sparrow. 



Plumage. — Ash-colour crown, with brown streaks; bluish-grey neck 



and wool, lined with hair. 



etc. 



