The Reed-Warbler. 107 



it as British; the same individual, if shot in the land of its birth, would probably 

 be valued at a shilling or less. 



We now come to the Reed- Warblers, whose suspended nests are often taken 

 and preserved as ornaments by mere admirers of the beautiful ; without one 

 thought of the little architects, or the faintest desire to know anything respecting 

 them. 



Family— TURDW.-E. Subfamily— S YL VI I N.^. 



The Reed-Warbler. 



Acrocephalus streperus, ViElLL. 



SEEBOHM states that, on the Continent, the Reed- Warbler "is found in 

 suitable localities in summer throughout Europe, south of latitude 58°, and 

 in Asia Minor, Palestine, South-west Siberia, Turkestan, Persia, Baluchistan, 

 and probably in Afghanistan. It is said to be a resident in Greece and the 

 surrounding islands ; but it passes through North Africa on migration, and 

 winters in Central Africa." 



In Great Britain this species is local, being very common in the southern 

 counties, with the exception of Cornwall and the Scilly Islands ; it is also common 

 in suitable localities in Wales, Cheshire, and Yorkshire; but local in Lancashire and 

 rare in Cumberland. In Scotland it is said to have occurred, and one example 

 has been recorded from Ireland ; but these statements require confirmation. 



The Reed- Warbler above is olive-brown suffused with chestnut, more especially 

 on the rump and upper tail-coverts ; the innermost secondaries with pale margins ; 

 an ill- defined pale-buff superciliary stripe ; under surface cream}'- white, the breast, 

 flanks, and under tail-coverts rufous-buff; bill dark horn-brown above, paler below, 

 feet slaty-brown, iris brown. The female nearly resembles the male ; both sexes 



D2 



