SYLVIIN.^. 



79 



THE REED-WARBLER. 



ACROCEPHALUS STREPKRUS (Vieillot). 



The Reed- Warbler arrives in England regularly in the latter part 

 of April ; and from that time until September it is common in most, 

 but not all, of the localities apparently suited to its habits, in the 

 southern, midland, and eastern districts. In the extreme south- 

 west it is rare, seldom visiting Cornwall or the Scilly Islands, but 

 it breeds freely in South Devon ; while in Wales it is fairly common, 

 at least as far west as Breconshire, and especially about Llangorse 

 Lake, where there is abundance of reeds (Phillips). It is plentiful 

 in like situations in Cheshire (Nicholson) ; but in Lancashire, 

 where suitable spots are few, it is naturally local, and in Lakeland it 

 is rare. In Yorkshire it is abundant at Hornsea Mere in the East 

 Riding, while it breeds up to the vicinity of Ripon, and also 

 near Leeds; but northward it is rare. There is as yet no proof 

 of its occurrence in Scotland. In Ireland it is said to have been 

 once obtained — near Dublin, on December 21st, 1843 (!), but not 

 since ; while wings sent from lighthouses, and attributed to this 

 species, have proved to be those of Blackcap and Garden-Warbler. 



The south of Sweden, and about 58° N. lat., mark the northern 



