HEDGE-SPARROW 203 



some of these species there is so great a resemblance 

 that only an expert can distinguish them. 



The" Hedge-sparrow is a true Warbler, and is in no 

 way related to the House-sparrow, as the name seems 

 to imply. In their habits, even more than in their 

 appearance, the birds are unlike, for the House-spar- 

 row is mischievous and insolent in demeanour, while 

 the Hedge-sparrow is among the most retiring of 

 birds. It is generally distributed throughout the 

 British Islands, where it is a resident species. This bird 

 is frequently made the dupe of the Cuckoo, perform- 

 ing the work of foster-parent with great zeal. The 

 nest of the Hedge-sparrow, seldom placed far from 

 the ground, is made of roots and mosses, and lined 

 with hair sind wool. From four to six beautiful tur- 

 quoise-blue eggs are laid. See Plate 12, Fig. 58. 



As has been said, the Wood Warblers are a pecu- 

 liarly American family, found chiefly in the eastern 

 part of the country. The greater part of the one 

 hundred known species inhabit the United States, 

 although some are confined to the tropics. They are 

 generally tree-living birds, but a few species are to be 

 found in undergrowth and open country. All are 

 insect-feeders, but vary in their methods of obtaining 

 their prey, some capturing it on the wing, while others 

 find it by creeping about the trunks and limbs of 

 trees. 



One of the most beautiful members of this family 

 is the little American Redstart, whose plumage is a 

 charming mixture of shining black and rich salmon 

 colour. It breeds in North America, but winters in 

 the tropics. 



