100 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 
for embankments and ballast; in the neighbourhood 
of Bath also it is found near the river.* 
The Reed Warbler is a migratory species, arriving 
in April, and departing again in September. It is 
very similar to the Sedge Warbler in its general 
habits as well as the localities it frequents, so much 
so that Yarrell says wherever the one species is 
found the other is almost certain to be within a 
short distance: I have not, however, found that to 
be the case here. 
The nest is generally placed amongst the reeds, 
and is suspended by being fixed to the stems of two 
or three of them: a few of the outer blades of grass 
are twined round the reeds in such a manner as to 
form a perfect support for the nest: it is usually 
over the water at a height of about two feet, very 
deep for its width, this precaution being taken to 
prevent the eggs rolling out when the reeds are 
swayed by the wind. “The materials used are fine 
dead grasses, mixed with a little wool, which is used 
mostly to finish off the top of the nest, the whole 
being woven together very compactly. ‘The bottom 
of the nest extends downwards to a considerable 
depth, giving the whole an oblong form.”+ The 
nest, however, is not always placed in reeds or near 
the water, but occasionally amongst shrubs, such as 
* § Zoologist’ for 1864, p. 9109. 
+ Id., 1865,.p..9838, 
