HEDGE-SPARROW 



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NE of the most familiar of our smaller birds is the Hedge- 

 Sparrow. It is a resident in our Islands, and is one of 

 the most widely distributed of our native birds, being 

 found in all districts throughout the British Islands, 

 except in some of the barest and most desolate tracts of 

 country. It is found on most of the Hebrides, and is a 

 straggler to the Orkneys and Shetlands. 



The favourite haunts of the Hedge-Sparrow are the gardens, shrubberies, 

 hedges and plantations in well-cultivated districts. In winter it comes close 

 to our houses, and is generally to be seen about the farmyard, hopping in and 

 out of some heap of firewood, or stealing tiny scraps of the food put down for 

 the hens. It attracts little attention as it hops about among the lower 

 branches of the bushes, or shuffles along the bottom of some hedge, and 

 seldom takes wing, if it can possibly escape notice by gliding under the 

 foliage. Its flight is slow and jerky, and seldom is prolonged for any 

 distance. It has a habit of jerking its wings as it hops about among the 

 twigs. It is a bird of the bushes, and is seldom seen among the higher 

 branches of trees. 



Like the Robin, the Hedge-Sparrow sings intermittently throughout the 

 whole year. On any bright sunny day in winter the little songster may be 

 seen in some sheltered spot, perched on the topmost twig of some bush or 

 hedge, pouring forth his plaintive little song. It is a sweet enough production, 

 very short and attractive, reminding one somewhat of the Wren's song. The 

 call-notes are low and penetrating, somewhat resembling the syllables ' creeee, 

 cheeee.' During winter the males may sometimes be seen chasing each other 

 angrily through the bushes, and are at this season unusually clamorous. The 

 Hedge-Sparrow is almost the last bird to go to roost, and his plaintive note 



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