218 The Hedge- Sparrow. 



among the birds coming to be fed where food is 

 spread for them in the winter-time, Gilbert 

 White also tells us that " in mild weather they 

 procure worms, which are stirring every month 

 in the year, as any one may see that will only 

 be at the trouble of taking a candle to a grass 

 plot on any mild winter's night." Many persons 

 accuse the hedge-sparrow of taking fruit, and 

 even peas, in the summer-time; but not only is 

 it innocent of the offences so laid to its charge, 

 but in reality it is a friend to the gardener. 



These birds are generally seen in pairs, and 

 have been well described as unobtrusive, quiet, 

 and retiring, without being shy. They may gene- 

 rally be seen on lawns, though never far from 

 cover, moving about in search of food with a 

 cheerful, jerky gait, and continually flirting their 

 wings in a way peculiarly their own. This curious 

 motion of the wings is doubtless the origin of 

 " Shufflewing," one of the bird's many names. 

 They are very early breeders, pairing as they do 

 in the beginning of February, at which time the 

 cock may be heard constantly singing his quaint 

 little song, which, though deficient in variety, 

 is very pretty and sweet in tone. Like the red- 

 breast, he continues his song practically the year 

 through, singing as he does at all times, except 

 during his moult and in very hard weather. 

 Bewick said of the hedge-sparrow: "Its song 

 is little varied, but pleasant, especially in a season 

 when all other warblers are silent ; its usual 



