198 



SEDGE WARBLERS. 



allowed crumbs ; it has, without foundation, been supposed tnat our 

 Blue-bird, in the intervals of his absence, passes the tedious and stormy 

 time in a state of dormancy, but it is more probable that he flies to 

 some sheltered glade, to glean liis frugal fare from cedar berries. 



^H^ M/iih\ ni^;^ v^\ / £ LiiF' 



SE&GE WARBLERS. 



SEDGE WARBLEKS. 



The Sedo;e Warbler is about five inches and a half loner, and eis^ht 

 and a quarter broad. This species inhabits all the Euroi)ean countries 

 that extend from sixty-eight degrees, north latitude, as far as Greece 

 and Spain, usually arriving in April and leaving again in October, when 

 it wanders as far as northern Africa. In Europe it always frequents 

 such marshy districts as are overgrown with rushes, sedge grass, and 

 small-leafed water plants. Its flight is very Tuisteady, but in other re- 

 spects its movements are unusually nimble and agile; the song is pleas- 

 ing, flute-like and very varied. Except during the period of incuba- 

 tion, which commences in June, these birds usually lead a very retired 

 life amid the beds of grass or rushes, but at the latter season they 

 emerge, and take up their quarters on the surrounding trees and bushes, 

 M'here they engage in a series of varied concerts, each inspired with the 



