REED WARBLER. 119 



many cases the nests are very elongated, almost funnel- 

 shaped, and have a considerable foundation for the cup 

 which contains the eggs ; but in others the materials are 

 less in quantity, and this lower structure is dispensed 

 with. When disturbed the parent birds become very 

 anxious and noisy, flitting from stem to stem uttering 

 harsh, scolding notes. Very often the nest will be left 

 for a day or so when finished before an &g^ is laid in it. 

 If the first nests and eggs are taken, they are almost 

 invariably replaced. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement: 

 The eggs of the Reed Warbler are four or five in 

 number. They are very pale greenish-blue in ground 

 colour, spotted and blotched with greenish-brown, 

 freckled and sometimes streaked with darker brown, 

 and with underlying markings of gray or paler brown. 

 On some varieties the markings are large and more or 

 less confluent, especially at the wide end of the Q<g^ ; on 

 others the spots are smaller and more evenly dispersed ; 

 on some the underlying markings are most numerous, on 

 others they are few and indistinct. Average measure- 

 ment, 73 inch in length, by '53 inch in breadth. Incuba- 

 tion, performed chiefly by the female, lasts thirteen or 

 fourteen days. 



Dl\GNOSTIC characters : The darker ground colour 

 readily distinguishes the eggs of the present species from 

 those of the Marsh Warbler, the only ones with which 

 they are likely to be confused. The construction and 

 situation of the nest are also important guides to their 

 correct identification. 



