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Pictures of Bird Life 



seems to ])e in Xorthainptonshire, but it nests in the south 

 of Xorfolk witli the Pochard, Shoveller, Teal, Gargeney, 

 WWd Duck, and Gadwall. 



At the time of our visit — ]May — the reeds in every 

 direction were ali\'e with yoimg- Coots and AA^ater-hens, and 

 tlieir curious cries were incessant. That of the young 

 Water-hens sounds just like " Joey-joey." ^Ve were also, 

 I tliink. late for AVater-rails, and also for Redshanks and 



I^apwings, botli of which liad half- 

 grown young ones. 



Of smaller })irds, the Reed-warblers 

 liad liardly ])egun to nest. They are 

 always late, appearing to wait until 

 the reeds ha\'e grown up to a fair 

 lieight. June and Jidy are more likely 

 months for their nests, and I have 

 found fresh eggs in August. The nests 

 are very easy to find, and are generally 

 cner water, but occasionally on dry 

 ground, among meadow-sweet, and 

 even in lilac and willow. The unique method of suspension 

 between upright stems makes them very interesting objects. 

 In Xorfolk thev are made of drv orasses, lined with reed- 

 flower : but in Canvey Island, where tlicre are sheep, the 

 nests are made almost entirely of wool, in which the greenish 

 eggs look ^'ery pretty indeed. 



Perhaps the commonest bird is the Reed-bunting — locally 

 called the Rlackcap. Its short and somewhat monotonous 



Reed-bunting 

 (Emberisa schoenidus). 



