78 BIRDS OP SOMERSETSHIRE. 



building a nest in my aviary I hope to be able to 

 ascertain this for certain during the summer.* The 

 old birds appear to pick up a very good living on 

 sopped bread and small seeds, such as canary and 

 rape seed : the seeds also of docks and sorrel they 

 appear to be fond of, as are many other of our small 

 birds, thereby rendering a considerable service to 

 the farmer and gardener. 



The nest is usually placed in some low bush or on 

 the side of a hedge : it is made of dry sticks, hay, 

 grass-roots, moss and wool, and lined with hair. 

 I once knew a pair of these birds repair an old 

 Thrush's nest of the year before, and rear their 

 brood in it. 



The beak of the Hedgesparrow is dark horn- 

 colour; the irides hazel; head, nape of the neck 

 and all the rest of the upper parts are burnt umber - 

 brown, the centre of each feather very dark brown, 

 almost black ; sides of the neck, throat and breast 

 dull slate-blue ; ear-coverts brown ; belly and under 

 tail-coverts almost white ; flanks and thighs brown ; 

 primary and secondary quills dusky, very slightly 

 edged with brown ; tail dusky brown, feathers edged 

 with lighter brown, under surface greyish brown; 

 legs and toes orange-brown ; claws black. 



The young before the first moult differ slightly, 

 the throat being greyish white, varied with small 



* The eggs have unfortunately since been destroyed. 



