Wild Birdie Usefid. and Injurions. 
681 
food is similar, consisting of worms, seeds of grass or other plants, 
insects in their various stages, and, in hard weather, of bread- 
crumbs and scraps from houses. It has no connection whatever 
with the rough and obtrusive house-sparrow, beyond bearing the 
same name. This unfortunate circumstance, however, together 
with the similarity of their plumage, has been quite sufficient to 
confound the two species ; and many an inoffensive dnnnock 
has lost its life during indiscriminate sparrow-warfare. The 
comparatively slender bill of the hedge-sparrow (fig. 7) differs 
so markedly from the strong, conical mandibles of the house- 
sparrow, and their actions are so unlike, that a very slight 
amount of observation is sufficient for the discrimination of the 
two species. The hedge-sparrow has a very characteristic 
habit of flirting the wings and tail, which will always lead to its 
identification. 
Its beautiful blue eggs are well known, and may frequently 
be found as early as the first fortnight of March, long before, the 
opening buds have expanded sufficiently to form a safe protection 
from rain and prying eyes. Their pretty cradle is composed of 
roots, green moss, and wool, with a neat lining of hair. 
The hedge-sparrow “ is unobtrusive and harmless, of an 
amiable disposition, and deserves protection and support.” 
Chats. 
The Wheatear, or Fallow-chat {Saxicola oenanthe), is one of 
the earliest of our summer visitors, coming to this country about 
the middle of March, and occasionally even in the previous 
month. It frequents open ground, and soon attracts attention by 
its sprightly actions and boldly-marked plumage. It may be 
readily recognised by (fig. 8) the white rump and pied tail, 
which are very conspicuous as the bird flits rapidly about. It 
is about six and a half inches in length. The nest is usually 
built in a rabbit-hole, or in some crevice under a huge stone. 
Another favourite situation is under a clod of earth, but the 
increase of more thorough tillage has greatly reduced the 
number of such sites. The pale blue eggs are usually unspotted, 
but occasionally speckled with rusty dots. Wheatears are con- 
sidered a great delicacy, and enormous quantities have been 
trapped for the table. The number taken in former days is 
almost incredible ; and it is stated that, a century ago, a shep- 
herd caught eighty-four dozens in one day. 
The food of this species consists of slugs, worms, spiders, 
small beetles, and other insects, taken both from the ground 
and on the wing. 
3 A 2 
