82 British BirdSy 



possibly associated with the Willow Wrens, and so 



overlooked. 



GREAT REED WARBLER -(^^r^^^//2^/;/.y 

 turdoides). 



An accidental visitor in this country. 



REED '^ KB.'^'LY.V.—^Acrocephalus streperus ; 

 formerly, Salicaria arimdinaced). 



Reed Wren, Night Warbler. — Almost as zealous a 

 songster as the Sedge Warbler. There are few hours 

 in the twenty-four when its voice may not be heard 

 about its accustomed haunts ; namely, willow and 

 reed beds, and particularly the latter. The nest is, 

 perhaps, the deepest made by any English bird, and 

 quite a long inverted cone in shape. It is aflSxed to, 

 or rather built so as to include three or four reeds, or 

 more. So that, however the wind blows, it is quite 

 fast, while its great depth prevents the eggs falling 

 out, even if the reeds be blown almost level. The 

 bird has been seen still sitting when the violent gusts 

 forced the nest down almost to the water level. The 

 nest is made of long grass and the seed-stalks of the 

 reed, and lined with wool or the like. Four or five 

 eggs of a greenish-white colour, marked in spots and 

 dashes of green and pale brown, are usually laid. — 

 Fig. ^, plate III. 



SEDGE ^ KK^'LW.—^Acrocephalus schcenobcenus ; 

 formerly, Salicaria phragmitis). 



This everlasting little songster is more common than 

 the bird last named, and almost every boy knows its 



