The Oologists' Record, March i, 1921. 15 



Continental Stonechat, Pratincola nibicola {Linn.). 



I met with three pairs nesting near La Bassee, where I found them 

 no less cunning than their British relatives. Two nests found had 

 fledged young on*6th and 8th May. I found the second clutch of 

 one pair/ of birds on 19th May, with six eggs, and another on 21st 

 May with five. Little time had been lost in producing the second 

 laying. I met with this species commonly in another district 

 where it was nesting in company with Whinchats in similar con- 

 ditions, such as railway embankments, hedge banks, etc. 

 Marsh Warbler, Acrocfephalus palustris (Bechsi.). 



I shall never forget one breezy morning in June when I first 

 made the acquaintance of this bird. He was tossing about on the 

 top of a spray of figwort with his little lungs expanded to bursting 

 point. I often met with him after that and was always glad to 

 listen to what I consider one of the finest songsters. It is curious 

 that he should be named the " Marsh Warbler " for I rarely found 

 him near water. The favourite site for the nest is a nettle bed in a 

 dry situation. Their little home is slung to three or four stems of 

 nettle, dock, burdock, figwort or any plant strong enough to hold 

 it, and I have found it nesting on the outskirts of a bean field. 

 It is usually about two feet from the ground, but on one occasion, 

 owing to the nettles having been cut down, I found a nest quite 

 four feet from the ground in an elder bush. The clutch seems to 

 vary from three to six, and one nest with the latter number con- 

 tained exceptionally large eggs. The usual clutch is five, and the 

 best date for fresh eggs is 14th to 17th June. They seem to be 

 very sociable and I found two nests within twelve yards of each 

 other. 



Melodious Warbler, Hippolais polyglotta {Vieillot). 



Many of our readers may think it strange that I should have 

 found this bird breeding so far north, but I am pleased to say I 

 secured a nest on nth June near Lille. I was first attracted by the 

 song of the male bird which was very similar to that of the Icterine 

 Warbler. The site of the nest was, however, not one that would be 

 likely to be used by the latter. I was hunting rather aimlessly at 

 the time when I hit upon a beautiful little structure partly attached 

 to a beech shrub overhanging a stream bordering a willow garth. 

 The eggs, four in number, were quite fresh, and bear a great resem- 

 blance to those of the Icterine, but are smaller, brighter and have 

 smaller spots. 



