160 BRITISH LAND BIRDS. 



as to take a fly from his fingers. It also learned 

 to drink milk out of a teaspoon, and was so fond 

 of it, that it would fly all round the room after 

 it ; it would also dart up to the ceiling, and bring 

 a fly down every time. 



The HEDGE WARBLER, better known to us by the 

 name of hedge sparrow, is so general everywhere 

 throughout the British Islands, that it comes under 

 the observation of all. It frequents hedgerows 

 and gardens, from spring to autumn, feeding on 

 insects, worms and seeds, but not on fruits. Early 

 in February the short and sweet, though rather 

 monotonous, song of the male is heard ; and con- 

 tinues throughout the greater part of the year. 

 The nest is usually placed, rather low down, in 

 a thick hedge or bush, and is the ready booty of 

 every prying boy; so that the blue eggs of the 

 hedge sparrow may be seen strung in long rows 

 in every cottage collection. They are sociable 

 and harmless little birds, and in winter come 

 near to our habitations in hope of some chance 

 supplies, which their gentle and unobtrusive man- 

 ners fully entitle them to receive at our hands. 



The WOOD- WARBLER is a beautiful little bird, the 

 general tint of its plumage being a soft green, 

 shading to a sulphur yellow, and the yellow pass- 

 ing into pure silvery white, beautiful and spotless ; 

 whence it has the local name of " linty white." Its 



