SYLVIIN.^^.. 



71 



THE REED-WARBLER. 



ACROCEPHALUS STREPERUS (Vieillot). 



The Reed-Warbler arrives in England regularly in the latter part 

 of April ; and from that time until September it is common in most, 

 but not all, the localities apparently suited to its habits, in the 

 southern, midland, and eastern districts. In the extreme south-west 

 it is rare, seldom visiting Cornwall or the Scilly Islands ; but in 

 Wales it is fairly common, at least as far west as Breconshire, and 

 especially about Llangorse Lake, where there is abundance of reeds 

 (Phillips). It is plentiful in such situations in Cheshire (Nicholson) ; 

 but in Lancashire, where suitable spots are few, it is naturally 

 local, and in Cumberland it is rare. In Yorkshire it breeds as far 

 north as the vicinity of Ripon, and also near Leeds, while at Horn- 

 sea Mere, in the East Riding, it is abundant. Mr. R. Fortune 

 asserts that he has found its nest and eggs at Ravensvvorth on the 

 Durham side of the Tyne. In Eastern Scotland it is said to have 

 been observed in Forfarshire, and even to breed on the Tay in 

 Perthshire, but proof is as yet wanting ; and in the Scottish Solway 

 district Mr. R. Service has never heard of it. In Ireland it is said 

 to have been once obtained — near Dublin on December 21st 1843(1), 

 but not since ; and certain wings attributed to this species, recently 

 sent by lighthouse-keepers, have proved to be those of the Blackcap 

 and the Garden-Warbler. 



