on winter birds in Mid-Dorset.



127



manure in the fields, devouring the innumerable dung-worms at

incredible speed. Their legs are dull and beaks blackish in winter,

instead of reddish-brown and bright yellow respectively.


Sparrows were most prominent in the autumn, when they

crowded the hedgerows and fields in chattering rushing flocks.

During winter they were quieter and more dispersed, but could be

found everywhere. They made themselves the self-invited com¬

panions of Rooks, Starlings, and Finches. Whenever food was

obtainable Sparrows appeared. They scattered and searched in

pastures and fields, farm and dairy yards, gardens and orchards.

They hopped along pathways and roads, round doors and stables, and

shared food with the fowls. Sparrows are the general scavengers

and the most omnivorous feeders among birds. Sunny days they

perched in numbers on south-sloping roofs. The Hedge-Sparrow is

a brighter bird than the House-Sparrow, though the latter is so much

cleaner than his town brother that in the country the two are not

easily distinguished apart. The Hedge-Sparrow keeps more to the

fields, and has a much smaller, thinner beak than the House-Sparrow.

On a clear, frosty day the browns of the Sparrows’ plumage show up

strongly, varying from chocolate to chestnut, and the greys are

light.


In this part of Dorset Finches are as common as Sparrows.

The Hawfinch is rarely seen, though there are a few about the

woods. Goldfinches are not general, but occur fairly frequently.

By the end of February the Goldfinch has assumed its brilliant

colouring, the scarlet round the base of the beak and the yellow

bars on the wings making it conspicuous. Linnets and Chaffinches

are plentiful, whilst Greenfinches and Bullfinches are countless.

Greenfinches work along the hedges and a short distance into the

fields, moving in brief wavering flights. Bullfinches scatter more,

and are as keen as Sparrows and Starlings on finding feeding-places

and working them thoroughly. After thrashing Finches descend on

the refuse in swarms. Considered altogether the Finch family

add greatly to the liveliness and beauty of the country-side in

winter. The Yellow-Hammer gets confused with the Finches, but

is distinguishable by its lemon-yellow head, neck, and underparts.


Hedgerows and banks with loose wild growth low down seem



