on Dr. Duss on sundry warblers and other birds. 301


Warbler {Hypolais pallida) and the Olivetree Warbler ( H. olive-

torum), have, as far as I know, never yet been imported alive; and

I suppose we may assume that none of their other allies from

Southern Europe or foreign countries would be of any great value as

cage-birds, even if by any chance specimens should ever be imported.


“ The Sedge and Reed Warblers are plainly coloured, and to

most people but little known birds, which vary in size from that of

a Willow Wren to nearly as large as a Thrush. Their song, a simple

one, can be described as in most cases a pleasing prattling, most

industriously delivered, and for this cheery, if inartistic, performance

and for their lively and attractive little ways, they will always be

beloved, while one species ranks high both as a singer and mocker.


. . . The largest of them all is the Great Reed Warbler ( Aero-


cephalus turdoides), also known as the “ Reed-Thrush,” and again by

the particularly inapt name of “ Reed-Sparrow.” It is a ceaseless

and untiring singer, but is not often seen in captivity, as it can only

occasionally be obtained and is difficult to keep. Others are the

much smaller Reed Warbler (A. streperus), whose continuous

prattling—one can hardly call it singing—one may hear all day

long ; the similarly coloured Sedge Warbler, whose song consists

of a succession of rising and falling whistling notes ; the Aquatic

Warbler (*4. aquaticus), smallest of all, with a medley of chirps,

rattling sounds and agreeable trills for a song ; the scarce Grass¬

hopper Warbler ( Locustella ncevia), whose monotonous long-

sustained strain is so uncommonly like the whirr of the large green

grasshoppers; and the River Warbler ( L. fluviatilis ), which has

scarcely any song at all, nothing except similar grasshopper-like

sounds. None of these can he properly classed as cage-birds, and

they therefore can only appeal to a limited class of fanciers. The

bird I mentioned above as such a fine singer is the Marsh-

Warbler (A. palustris ); he is a most desirable cage-bird, as in

captivity, when he has got through the winter, he commonly sings

from March onwards, but alas ! he is most difficult to meat off and

get safely through the moult. . . . His song consists of delight¬


fully clear, flute-like notes, similar to those of some of the Willow

Warblers, particularly the Icterine, but more melodious and softer

and intermingled with strains, which he has annexed from other



