SEDGE-BIRD 



Wintering in South Africa, the sedge-bird passes over the southern 

 districts of Europe in its spring migration, but from the more central 

 districts of the Continent to a hne as far north as latitude 70' in 

 Scandinavia, but somewhat lower in the heart of Russia, the sedge-bird 

 is a breeding-species. Eastwards the breeding-range extends to the 

 Caucasus and the Altai, although the bird is there less common than 

 farther east. In the British Isles some individuals arrive late in April, 

 but the majority 

 in the following 

 month ; the return 

 migration com- 

 mencing in August, 

 and continuing 

 through September, 

 although a few in- 

 dividuals may linger 

 later. With the 

 exception of the 

 northern isles, to 

 which it appears to 

 be only a casual 

 visitor, the species 

 breeds throughout 

 the United King- 

 dom, although it is 

 less common and 

 more local in Ire- 

 land and the north 

 of Scotland than in 

 the midland and 

 southern English 

 counties. 



Like its relative the reed-wren, the sedge-bird is an accomplished 

 vocalist, and to those who can recognise the notes, its song, which is 

 often continued into the night, betrays its presence in places where the 

 bird itself would escape notice. For the sedge-bird loves to skulk 

 throughout the day in the reed and sedge brakes by the river-side, or 

 in other covert not far removed from the neighbourhood of water. 

 The song continues without interruption throughout May and June, 

 and thus marks the height of the breeding-season, which may, however, 

 be prolonged into July or even later. The nest, which is a loose 



I THE ROWLAND WARD STUDIOS 



SEDGK-BIKD, 



