Hedgesparrow, or Chanter, (Accentor Modularis, Cuvier), s. A sparrow that lives in bushes.
This well known species, commonly called hedge sparrow, needs little description. The length is five inches and three quarters; weight near six drams. Bill dusky; irides light hazel; head and neck brown, mixed with ash-colour; back and wing coverts darker brown, edged with rufous brown; throat and breast dull ash-colour; belly dirty white; sides and vent tawny brown. The female has less ash-colour about the head and breast.
The hedge sparrow is found in all parts of England; has a pleasing song, which it begins with the new year, if the weather is mild; breeds early, making a nest in March, composed of green moss and wool, and lined with hair, which is placed in some low evergreen shrub, thick brush, or cut hedge; frequently builds in faggot piles. The eggs are four or five in number, blue; their weight about twenty-eight grains.
This bird is one of the few of the warbler tribe that remains with us the whole year. The food is insects and worms; but like the redbreast, it will, in defect of these, pick up crumbs of bread; and seems to prefer situations near the habitation of man.—Montagu.
Heel, s. The part of the foot that protuberates behind.
Heeler, s. A cock that strikes well with his heels.
Heifer, s. A young cow.
Hemorrhage, s. A violent flux of blood.
Hen, s. The female of a house cock; the female of any bird.
Henroost, s. The place where the poultry rest.