48 OUR, IRISH SONG BIRDS. 



Mr. Poole, as quoted by Mr. Thompson, remarks : 

 " March 3rd. At this season the Dunnock displays 

 some curious evolutions, probably by way of exhibiting 

 its gallantry ; suddenly raising the wings from the body, 

 and holding them for a moment at right angles with it, 

 and then repeatedly flapping them with an attractive 

 and languishing air. It also floats in the air in a 

 manner quite foreign to its usual habit. One whose 

 nest I was examining, when frightened off, evinced 

 great distress, and even simulated being wounded, as is 

 the custom of many, indeed of most, species of birds 

 with which I am acquainted." 



It is remarkable that although this bird is apparently 

 so tame and familiar, it will hardly ever, under any 

 circumstances, enter houses. Mr. Morris, however, tells 

 us that on one occasion, after a heavy fall of snow, a 

 Hedge Sparrow entered his kitchen at Nunburnholme 

 Rectory. About Christmas these birds may be seen in 

 parties of five or six ; shortly afterwards they separate, 

 and are not observed together again until the termina- 

 tion of the breeding season. 



The name " Hedge Sparrow " has been frequently 

 objected to, on the ground that the bird is not a Sparrow 

 at all ; but popular as this epithet has been since Shake- 

 speare's time, it is not likely that it will be ever dropped 

 for the more pretentious title " Accentor." 



" The Hedge Sparrow fed the Cuckoo so long, 

 That it had its head bit off by its young." 



King Lear, Act I. Scene I. 



The nest is one of the earliest of the year, "and this 

 being placed in an almost leafless hedge, with little art 



