THE HEDGE-SPARROW, 
157 
but also takes up its abode in the plantations about the squares, & c., 
in towns. Prom a narrow skirting of shrubbery before our house in 
Belfast, I frequently hear the song in its season, and occasionally do so 
in bright days during winter. It has always seemed to me one of the 
most peaceable of birds, but that it can be moved to enmity, I have 
the testimony of a relative, who, at Port William, near Belfast, once 
witnessed a fight between two of them, in which one was killed. 
The victor, after having slain his antagonist, twice or thrice uttered 
a song of triumph, at the finale of which he each time flew at 
and again struck his victim. A friend, who has kept this bird 
caged, remarks : that when placed near any other species it imitates 
its notes, and when near several, imitates them all, making a strange 
medley. The following communication by Mr. Poole reminds me 
of an interesting habit of this species : — “ March the 3rd. At 
this season the dunnock displays some curious evolutions, probably 
by way of exhibiting its gallantry — suddenly raising the wings 
from the body, and holding them for a moment at right angles 
with it, and then repeatedly flapping them with an attractive and 
languishing air. It also floats in the air in a manner quite foreign 
to its usual habit. One whose nest I was examining, when fright- 
ened off, evidenced great distress, and even simulated being wound- 
ed, as is the custom of many, indeed of most species of birds 
with which I am acquainted” The hedge-sparrow (as it is called 
in the north) is known in the south of Ireland by the name of 
wren’s-man , * perhaps on account of its frequenting hedges 
like the wren, along with which it often falls a sacrifice to the 
“ wren-boys” on St. Stephen’s, or Christmas day. The wren 
being in the estimation of these worthies (see account of that 
species) the greater bird of the two, we can understand why the 
other should be called wien’s-man. Reefogue is the name applied 
to it in Wexford. t 
Mr. R. Davis, in Pebruary, 1838, kindly sent from Clonmel 
for my inspection a specimen of the hedge-sparrow, the upper 
* Mr. R. Ball. 
f Mr. Poole. “ Riabhog (pronounced reefogue) signifies in Irish, brownish-grey 
bird.” — Mr. R. S. M‘Adam. 
