76 



THE NATURE BOOK 



Hedge Sparrow, Hedge Accentor, or 

 Hedge Cliirper, from its habit of giving 

 forth its subdued song conspicuously 

 from wayside fences in early spring ere 

 foHage gives concealment to it, its nest, 

 or turquoise-tinted eggs. 



As the House Sparrow " chirping on 



diet is changed to maize, Blue Tits soon 

 discover the difference, and carry off 

 grains of the Indian corn, to pick out the 

 soft base, and drop the remainder. 



These last remarks may not seem to 

 have much connection with bird identi- 

 fication, but it is always helpful to know 



THE WHEATEAR. 



the wall foretells rain coming soon," 

 so the Hedge Sparrow is also included in 

 the list of avian weather prophets from 

 its habit of frequently uttering its short 

 and plaintive call-note " speek, speek " 

 (hence the epithet " Hedge Spike ") in 

 damp weather. Its dark blue-grey throat 

 is its only attempt at personal adorn- 

 ment. Though chiefly insectivorous, I 

 find the Hedge Sparrow often takes toll 

 of wheat when I am feeding my poultry 

 with small corn, whereas when their 



what species we may expect to meet with 

 at certain times and places, and how 

 they are likely to behave whilst they are 

 knowingly or unwittingly under our obser- 

 vation. Thus, when we are calHng our 

 domestic fowls to feed, the accustomed 

 whistle or " cur chick " is likely to attract 

 various small wild birds, especially in the 

 winter time ; in hard weather I have 

 even had Rooks and Grey Crows thus 

 wait upon me. House Sparrows are 

 sure to put in an appearance, and perhaps 



