59 



MOTACILLA MODULARIS. 



Syst. Nat. 329. - 



HEDGE WARBLER, OR SPARROW. 



PLATE LIX. 

 r as 



X he bill, in the specimen I describe, is of a dusky yel- 

 low; in some the bill is black; the eyes are brown; 

 the head brown, with a shade of ash colour, and having 

 a black dash down the middle of each feather. The 

 back is of an orange brown, the middle of each feather 

 black; the rump, olive colour; the wing and tail feath- 

 ers are of a mouse colour, having their edges brown. 

 The throat and breast are a greyish lead colour; the 

 belly, a dusky white; the legs and feet, yellowish. 



The hen differs from the cock in being smaller, and 

 the feathers of the back of a duller colour. The cock 

 has a soft, melodious, warbling song, most pleasing 

 when heard alone. 



In winter it is a domestic bird, frequenting gardens 

 and farm yards ; in summer, retires to hedges of Holly 

 trees to breed; sings on some low bush, seldom mount- 

 ing tall trees. Is known at Halifax by the name. Dun- 

 nock. 



The Caterpillar of the large Tyger Moth*, feeds on 

 nettles and grass; changes to the chrysalis the begin- 

 ning of June; is on the wing in July; frequents mead- 

 0WS3 and is commonly found among new hay, 



* Phalsena caja Linn. 



