24 REED WARBLER. 



[Genus — Hypolais.] 



[Hypolais icterina — Icterine Warbler.] 



Dover and near Dublin. 



[Genus — Aedon.J 



[Aedon galactodes — Rufous Warbler.] 



A rare accidental visitor to England. 



Genus— ACROCEPHALUS. 



ACROCEPHALUS STREPERUS— Reed Warbler. 



This bird is not common in Herefordshire. In the southern 

 districts of the county it is rarely found, but in the western and 

 northern districts, in localities where reeds or bulrushes abound, a 

 nest or two is generally to be met with, as at Tibberton, Moccas, 

 Shobdon, &c. This bird shows a remarkable instinct in the con- 

 struction of its nest, according to the locality in which it is built. 

 If it is built in the branches of shrubs, lilac, privet, &c., as it often 

 is in the midland counties, it is comparatively shallow ; but when 

 built on the stems of three or four reeds or bulrushes, as is usually 

 the case in Herefordshire, it is made much more deep, to provide 

 against the risk of the eggs being blown out ; and if the reeds are in 

 places much exposed to wind, as for example on the reedy margins 

 of Llangorse Lake, the nest is not only made very deep, but its 

 opening is contracted at the margin, so that if the reeds should be 

 bent level with the water — even quite horizontally — the eggs would 

 still be saved from rolling out. It is a cheerful, active bird, and 

 often sings through the evening into night. 



In the calm night, when all is still, 

 And not a voice is heard around, 

 •Save the wild stream that from the hill 

 Falls downwith dashing sound : 

 When o'er the heath 

 The colddamp breath 

 Bends the tall reed with passing wing. 

 Upon its waving head alone I sing. 



Evans — Songs of the Birds. 



