BRITAIN'S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 267 



extent suggestive of other groups, and has earned for the 

 bird the popular title of ' Reed-Spanow.' The hen is 

 much duller, and has less black about the head regions. 

 Similar to the female, but even duller, are the immature 

 birds of both sexes. 



In habits, too, the Reed-Buntings differ more markedly 

 from the previous three species than do those among them- 

 selves. The differences, however, are for the most part 

 consequences of the different nature of the haiints selected 

 by this bird. These are usually in the vicinity of streams 

 with banks overgrown with willows, alders, and various 

 shrubs, and with courses choked by beds of sedge ; they 

 are also found in swamps, marshes, damp moorlands, and 

 similar places. Where such haunts are to be found, the 

 Reed-Bunting is a common resident bird over almost 

 the whole of the British Isles. In winter it becomes 

 to some extent gregarious, and often shifts its ground to 

 other types of country in search of food. Considerable 

 autumnal immigrations occasionally occur. 



The nest is built of reed-flags, dry grass, and moss, 

 with a lining of reed-tops, hair, or other more delicate 

 material. It is usually placed on the ground among reeds 

 or coarse herbage or near the roots of the waterside shrubs 

 and willow-trees, but it may be raised some distance from 

 ground in a reed-bed or even in a small tree. The four 

 to six eggs are handsomely marked with deep-purple 

 blotches and streaks on a ground of the same colour, 

 but of a much paler shade. Laying begins in April, 

 and two or more broods are reared, both parents sharing 

 the duties and cares of the task. For song the male 

 babbles a few loud, incoherent sounds, and ends them with 

 a couple of hissing notes. 



