414 ENGLISH BIRD LIFE 



quarter of an inch longer than the outer, giving the 

 tail a rounded appearance. 



The nest is constructed on lines beautifully 

 adapted to the exigencies of its surroundings. It 

 is formed for the most part of very long grass care- 

 fully woven about the stronger reed-stems, and is 

 so deep that, although the pendant cradle is rocked 

 violently by every gust of wind, the eggs and callow 

 3'oung remain quite secure. Sometimes, however, 

 in its choice of a breeding site the Reed Warbler 

 belies its name, for its nest has been frequently 

 found, not only far from all reed-beds, but even 

 from the neighbourhood of water. Saunders states 

 that it has been known to build annually in lilac- 

 trees in a garden at Hampstead. It has been noted 

 by Yarrell that in some districts, this species is the 

 most common victim of the Cuckoo's parasitical 

 habit. 



The Reed Warbler is usually somewhat later in 

 its arrival than the Sedge-bird. Its distribution in 

 Great Britain is irregular, being, of course, largely 

 determined by the suitability of each locality. Still, 

 in many places where it might be expected to occur, 

 and, where its near congener the Sedge Warbler is 

 abundant, it is conspicuously absent. In common 

 with the Nightingale, and many others of the 

 warblers, it appears to avoid certain of the south- 

 western counties, Cornwall and Devon in particular, 

 in the former of which it is practically unknown. 



Five species of these warblers named aquatic are 

 given as British; the sixth, the Marsh Warbler, 

 although it has occurred in England, has not re- 



