THE REED-WARBLER 



41 



2 ft. 6 in. above the tide), the birds take a length of dried 

 wiry grass at the ends, and together they weave their cradle, 

 filling in the outer layer with reed-feather; next comes a 

 cushion of flaxen spindle fluff, reed-feather, and at times a 

 few swan's feathers ; then a wiry framework of dry reed 

 feather, and last stage of all, a cosy lining of soft white 

 cotton-grass ; and, lo ! the cradle is done and placed above 

 the water safe from vermin, near food for the young and 

 secure from storm ; for though a gale blew over the reed- 

 bed, the reed-stems stand secure as piles made of steel.* 

 After the few days of toil passed in 

 building the perfect little nest the 

 hen begins to lay her four or five 

 greenish eggs freckled with olive. 

 Nor is she in haste to get that over, 

 for she often misses a morning be- 

 tween her layings, spending her time 

 in listening to her mate singing his 

 chucking yet sweet note. The song 

 then betrays to the egger the where- 

 abouts of the dear eggs ; for your 

 Broadsman always hunts these eggs 

 by sound. But the egger must be 

 alert, for once the eggs are laid the 

 songs grow rare and more rare. 



Though essentially a denizen of the level swamps, the 

 reed-warbler at times builds in sallow plantings, and even 

 in gardens, as the plate shows. I once found one built 

 upon a briar and a single reed-stalk in a planting by the 

 water, and very tame was the sitting bird — the hen on this 

 occasion, for both birds sit. I watched the little hen for 



KEED-WARBLER S NEST 

 IN A BLACK-CURRANT 



BUSH (Norfolk) — (taken 

 in situ). 



* I have never seen wool, moss, or horse-hair used in the making of 

 these nests in Norfolk, but often cotton-grass-down, which may have been 

 mistaken for wool. Nor have I ever found a cuckoo's egg in a reed-warbler's 

 nest, — as asserted by Mr. Saunders and others. Nor have I ever heard of 

 marshmen finding such. In a jf^e-warbler's nest, yes ! 



