126 Baby Birds at Home 



It feeds principally upon insects in the 

 summer, catching and killing even the 

 largest species of dragon-flies, and in the 

 winter roams, over stubble fields and waste 

 lands, in search of grain and seeds. 



The Reed Sparrow is not a very accom- 

 plished musician, but repeats his few simple 

 notes with wonderful persistency. 



The nest is generally built, on or near 

 the ground, amongst rushes, coarse grass, 

 heather, or in a stunted bush. It is made 

 of dry grass and moss, with an inner lining 

 of fine dead grass, hair, and the feathery 

 tops of reed stems. 



Five eggs are generally laid, although as 

 many as seven have been found in a clutch. 

 They are pale olive or purplish grey in 

 ground colour, spotted and streaked with 

 rich, dark, purple brown markings. The 

 eggs are smaller than those laid by any 

 bunting breeding in our country, and are 

 thus easily distinguished from those of the 

 yellow-hammer and corn-bunting. 



The male sits on the eggs whilst the 

 female is away searching for food, and helps 

 to feed the chicks after they have been 

 hatched. 



