130 The fledge Sparrow. 
a 
seen amongst them. Should it happen to be near 

others, it will just take a peck and hop away, hopping 
and pecking in this way the whole time. _ 
In the spring, should a cat or any other ferocious 
animal approach near its nest, the old bird will en- 
deavour to draw the attention of the unwelcome cuest 
by much the same stratasem as that performed by 
the male partridge, uttering its call-note in rapid 
succession, as if in distress. Ifa cat be the intruder, 
this delusion generally has the desired effect, and 
puss crouches and follows the actor in vain. When 
the Hedge Sparrow has drawn Grimalkin far enough 
from the nest to ensure safety to the young ones, it 
flies and perches on some smal! boughs not very high, 
Then, for a minute, it looks at its intended devourer, 
and then takes to its wings, leaving pussy to consider 
what to do next. 
The nest of this dingy little warbler is built but a 
short distance from the ground, and is to be found in 
the month of April in thorn hedges, mostly placed in 
one of the stumps. The nest is composed of sticks 
for the foundation, built up with moss and wool, and 
