THE HEDGE-SPARROW. 71 



eleven days are occupied in incubation. Two or three 

 broods are commonly reared in the year, and the young 

 ones (always providing that no cuckoo interferes) are 

 almost exclusively fed upon an insect diet. When search- 

 ing for food, the Hedge-sparrow has a peculiar way of 

 raising and moving the wings, and the name of " Shuffle- 

 wing " has obviously been acquired from this habit. It 

 has also a quick flirty movement of the tail. The flight is 

 low, straight, and tolerably quick, but it seldom indulges 

 in any very extended journeys ; at times, however, birds 

 may be seen, two or three following each other at a con- 

 siderable height, flying round and round, and then dropping 

 suddenly in some thicket. It is very fond of dusting 

 itself in the roadways, and is partial to a bath. 



This familiar little bird inhabits all the more temperate 

 parts of Europe, and is found as far north as Norway and 

 Sweden, although it does not spend its winter in these 

 countries, but leaves for the warmer climates of France 

 and Italy. 



The length of the Hedge-sparrow is about five inches and 

 a-half, or a little more. The bill is dark brown, lighter at 

 the base, the corners of the mouth being of a dull yellow. 

 Iris, dark blackish-brown, with a reddish tint ; head and 

 crown, dark bluish-grey, streaked with brown; nape, 

 grey, streaked with brown ; sides of the neck dark bluish- 

 grey, streaked with brown ; chin, throat, upper part of 

 breast, dark bluish-grey ; lower part of breast, lighter ; 

 sides, pale yellowish-brown ; back, brown ; centres of the 

 feathers, reddish, and the outsides, yellowish-brown ; 

 greater and lesser wing-coverts are yellowish-brown; 

 middle ones tipped with white ; under wing-coverts, 

 brown bordered with white. The tail is slightly forked, 



