HEDGE SPARROW. 47 



in full song even in the squares of Dublin. Hardly, 

 indeed, has a day passed for many years that I have not 

 heard and seen it ; for it is one of our perennial songsters, 

 and seems to be always abroad, though Mr. Ussher 

 says that it can seldom be heard in December. 



The Hedge Sparrow is " one of three soft-billed birds, 

 insectivorous, with the same texture of plumage as 

 migratory birds, and yet remaining with us all the year 

 round." Were he to leave us with his more highly 

 esteemed brethren every year, he would, no doubt, rise 

 rapidly in popular esteem. 



The Hedge Sparrow's food in summer is insects, and 

 in winter principally small seeds. It is certainly one of 

 the most harmless of birds, and it should be a welcome 

 guest in every garden. Its favourite haunt is in white- 

 thorn hedges ; there it may be seen threading its way, 

 as Mr. Thompson remarks, "evidently as happy and 

 contented as if no obstacles were opposed to its pro- 

 gress." By-and-by it flies to the branch of some low 

 tree, and warbles forth its artless song. The prop of a 

 clothes-line at the back of Elm Park was a favourite 

 perching-place, and from it a Hedge Sparrow con- 

 tinually poured forth his simple ditty, and was almost 

 always answered by a neighbour at no great distance. 

 The call-note is like the syllable, " ee ee ee," some- 

 times pronounced loudly and sharply, and the song in 

 several respects resembles that of the Wren and Willow 

 Warbler, but is not so shrill or powerful as the former, 

 whilst it consists of fewer syllables than the latter. The 

 curious shuffling of the wings of the Hedge Sparrow has 

 supplied it with one of its local names, and this habit is 

 more marked as the breeding season approaches. 



