(55) 



The Hedge Sparrow, 



Numb. LIX. 



T~^HI S Bird is about the bignefs of a Robin Red-Breajl ; its Bill is long 

 -■- and {lender, of a dusky Colour inclining to black ; its Back, Wings 

 and Tail are a dark brown with a reddil'li Mixture; the Head is dusky 

 with a blewifh Caft; the Breaft is of a blewifh lead Colour, the Belly 

 more__dilute ; the Legs are of a dusky brown: This Bird is as well known 

 as any of our fniall Birds, being found almofl: in every Bufh, that hard- 

 ly a Boy that fearches the Hedges, but can give an account of its Neft, 

 Eggs, ^c. It would therefore feem unneceffary to take much notice of 

 it, but that I think the Hedge Sparrow too much negleded, no Bird is 

 more defpifed j I am fure he ought to be more valued ; he being a ve- 

 ry pleafant Song-bird, fings fweetly, and has a great variety of pretty 

 Notes: I have known them kept in Cages by fome curious Perfons, and 

 much valued for their fine finging ; a great many People cage worle, 

 and account them good Birds ; tis Plenty that leffens the Worth of this 

 Bird, as of every thing elfe, though ever fo valuable in it felf: The 

 Hen is known from the Cock, by the Palenefsof her Breaft, and being: 

 of a brighter Colour on the Back; they build their NePc of fine green 

 Mofs, platted with a little Wool and Hair; the Hen lays commonly 

 five Eggs of a pale blew Colour; fhe has young ones at the end of 

 J^pril^ or the beginning of May ; you may take them at ten Days old,,, 

 and feed them with Bread and Flefh-meat chop'd very fine, and mixed, 

 together, made moift as for other Birds. 



Toe: 



