66 OUU NATIVE SONGSTERS. 



hand which bears away the nest. Whether or not 

 the parent bh'cls are able to give any instruction 

 to their young, as to tlieir mode of learning to fly, 

 is doubted by some ; but this is certain, that they 

 watch over them, warn them of dangers, and 

 never cease to aid and feed them, till their feathered 

 wings enable them to provide for themselves. 



But leaving birds in general, we must proceed 

 to some of our slender-billed or soft -billed warblers. 

 These are a very interesting family, from their 

 sweetness of song. Most of them are migratory, 

 though there are among tliem a few which remain 

 with us all the winter. 



Early in February, when as yet tlie trees are 

 leafless, and the woods silent, save wlien tlie winds 

 waken them into melody, tliat sweet little bird, 

 the Hedge Warbler or Hedge Sparrow* [Afcentor 

 ??ioc?«/«rzs),may beheard uttering its low song, which 

 has a far less joyous sound than that of most birds, 

 and is a perfect contrast to that of the lark, which 



* The Hedge Sparrow is five inches and a half in length. The 

 head and neck are dull grey, streaked Avith broum ; the back and 

 wings reddish brown, similarly streaked with darker ; the tail 

 dusky brown ; the throat and breast greyish white ; belly cream- 

 white ; the sides and flanks pale brown, streaked with darker : 

 beak and feet bro\ATi. 



