504 PERCHING BIRDS 



Of the western tree- warbler {^Hypolais po/yglotta), of southern 

 Europe and northern Africa, an example was taken in Sussex in the 

 spring of 1897, and a second shot at Ninfield in 1900, and a third at 

 Kinsale in 1905. Others are reported to have been seen in Devon- 

 shire in 1905 and 1906. Although larger, the bird is somewhat like 

 a chiff-chaff, but with sulphur-}'cllow under-parts. It has a brilliant 

 song. 



Sedge-Bird With the sedge-bird, or sedge-warbler, we come to 

 (Acroeephalus ^'^*^ ^^^^ (though not the typical) representative of a 

 phraffmitis) group of warblers collectively characterised by the 

 comparative width and flatness of the base of the 

 beak, and the strong development of the bristles at the gape, which are 

 arranged in a horizontal row. As additional features, it may be 

 mentioned that the wings and tail are approximately equal in length, 

 the latter being somewhat rounded, so that with its outer feathers it 

 equals more than three-quarters the total length. In the wing the first 

 primary quill is very short, being considerably less than one-third the 

 length of the second. All the members of the group have a brownish 

 upper plumage, in marked contrast to the yellowish green of that of the 

 willow-wrens and wood-wrens, the former type of colouring being adapted 

 for concealment among the reed-brakes and sedge-beds which form the 

 home of these birds, whereas the latter harmonises with the green 

 foliage among which the willow-wren and wood-wren are found. The 

 various species of the present group are exceedingly like one another, 

 and there is scarcely any sexual difference in the colouring of their 

 plumage. They are shy and skulking birds, very seldom seen, 

 although in the breeding - season their presence is made known b}' 

 the pleasing song of the cocks. 



The present species, of which the proper designation is sedge-bird 

 (sedge-warbler being merely a book-name unknown to country people), 

 measures about 4^ inches in length. The crown is streaked with light 

 and dark brown, while the sides of the head are marked with a conspicu- 

 ous buff eyebrow-stripe ; the fore part of the back is pale reddish brown, 

 indistinctly streaked with a darker shade, but the loins and tail-coverts 

 are tawny: a dusky hue characterises the wing -coverts and quills, 

 which have tawny buff edges ; the latter colour also prevailing on the 

 under-parts, but passing into brighter buff on the flanks. Hens are 

 slightly duller-coloured and less rufous on the loins than their partners : 

 while young birds display a yellowish tinge below, and dusky spots on 

 the fore part of the neck. 



