HEDGE SPARROW, Accentor modularis
A common resident. In a hard winter when we were feeding numerous small birds at our dining-room window, a Hedge Sparrow asserted himself as king of the company, not allowing any of the Chaffinches, Tits, Green Linnets, &c, to touch the food until he had satisfied himself. This conduct in a bird usually so unassuming and gentle not a little astonished us, and it was also remarkable that the other birds submitted to his dominion. Mr. Tracy states : " This species is very subject to warts on the beak and legs ; how can this be accounted for ?" We have never met with one thus afflicted.