498 BRITISH BIRDS. 



Iledge-Sparrow inhabits well-cultivated districts, and frequents groves, 

 shrubberies, and hedges, and especially gardens. From its unobtrusive 

 habits and its sombre dress it attracts little attention ; but there is no 

 mistaking it when seen, as it shuffles along under the evergreens, as if 

 anxious to elude notice. At all seasons of the year it may be found in its 

 usual haunts, drawing neai'er to the houses in winter, and often feeding 

 on the crumbs scattered for the Robin and the Sparrows. In the farm- 

 yards it is frequently seen hopping about the ground near the barndoor, 

 or gliding in and out amongst the heaps of old wood. It often enters the 

 cart-shed, and searches for insects under the carts and other farm imple- 

 ments ; manure-heaps are also favourite haunts, where it may generally 

 be seen amongst the Sparrows. The Hedge-Sparrow is a bird of the 

 undergrowth and bushes j it rarely mounts into the higher branches, and 

 is incessantly in motion in a half Chat-, half Tit-like manner. It passes 

 through the tangled hedgerows more like a sombre shadow than a bird, 

 and will hide under the broad leaves of the cabbages in the garden. In 

 autumn many Hedge- Sparrows frequent the turnip-tields — not in a sociable 

 way, but here and there you may flush them from the cover or catch a 

 hurried glimpse of them as they glide under the leaves ; for the bird is one 

 that only takes flight when absolutely compelled. The Hedge-Sparrow is 

 one of the latest birds abroad in the evening. Its low complaining call- 

 note is often heard when the bird is lost in the evening gloom ; and in the 

 shrubberies it is one of the last birds to seek a roosting-place. 



The Hedge-Sparrow must be classed with the Robin and the Wren as a 

 perennial songster; but it is only in well-sheltered districts that its music 

 is heard regularly through the winter, nor is it ever so free a songster as 

 those two little birds. A hill in the wintery storm, or a few hours^ genial 

 sunshine, even in midwinter, will not uufrequently cause it to mount to the 

 topmost twig of a hedgerow to sing. There is nothing very attractive in 

 its song ; but it always sounds lively and cheerful, though somewhat plain- 

 tive : it is not unlike the first half of the song of the Wren. Its call-notes 

 are low, and uttered in a peculiarly plaintive complaining tone. The 

 Hedge-Sparrow pairs very early in the season. About Christmas the birds 

 congregate in little parties of perhaps five or six — a peculiar habit, never 

 observed in this species except at mating-time. The birds are then un- 

 usually clamorous, show a pugnacious disposition, and often chase each 

 other through the branches with every sign of anger. This lasts but a 

 short time ; and afterwards they are almost invariably seen in pairs until 

 the breeding-season. 



This interesting little bird is one of the earliest to begin building its 

 nest, usually doing so in March. It is never built far from the ground ; 

 and the situations in which it is found are very varied. The thick hedge- 

 rows of whitethorn and holly are favourite places ; the dense thickets of 



