348 BRITISH BIRDS. 
however, that the birds were all gone by September ; so that possibly 
it may be only exceptionally that it winters in the south of France. 
It must, however, be remembered that birds of such skulking habits may ~ 
easily be overlooked after they have ceased to sing. Although most 
observers agree that Savi’s Warbler is by no means so shy as its two 
European allies, the Grasshopper Warbler and the River-Warbler, yet it 
seems only to frequent large reed-beds, and can rarely be seen except 
from a boat or by wading in the marshes. Although it drops down into 
the sedges for concealment if pursued, it seems to avoid the sedges and 
other water-plants when feeding, and is seldom seen perched except upon 
the reeds. It runs up one of these, searching for, insects on the stem and_ 
leaves, then drops down onto another, up which it runs in like manner, 
never still for a moment except when it pauses to sing on the top of 
a reed, where, with outstretched neck, head somewhat thrown back, and 
extended throat, it runs off its monotonous reel, whence it has been called 
the Reel-bird (in Dutch Sworr, in German Schwirrvogel). 
4 
The song of Savi’s Warbler is said to resemble the note of the tree-frog. ~ 
It is a monotonous whirr or trill, like the note of a grasshopper, and is 
described as more melodious but less powerful than that of the other two 
European Grasshopper Warblers. It is pitched ina higher key than either 
of them, and sounds further or nearer as the bird turns its head from or to- 
wards the listener. It may be heard at all hours of the day or night in calm 
warm weather; but on cold nights the bird is silent, and in windy weather 
it either does not sing at all or its voice is drowned by the rustling of the 
reeds. Its call-note is described as a short krr. It is said to be a very 
quarrelsome bird, and frequently to chase so eagerly any rival which may 
invade its domain as to be at such times regardless of danger. In 
Andalusia it breeds early in May ; but in this country, in Holland, and in 
Galicia it is recorded to have bred late in May or early in June. Graf 
Casimir Wodzicki, describing its habits in the latter country (Journ. Orn. 
1853, Extra-Heft, p. 49), writes :—“ TI have often watched this delicate little 
bird building its nest, and noticed with what trouble it collects the materials. 
At first both sexes are thus employed; but later the female alone collects 
the leaves, which the male takes from her beak and arranges without her — 
assistance.’ The nest is carefully concealed amongst the sedges (Carea), 
and is placed upon a heap of tangled blades, usually six inches, but some- 
times two or three feet, above the water. It is composed of flat leaves of 
broadish grass, generally of swectgrass (Glyceria), carefully woven together, 
the narrowest leaves being chosen for the lining. It is a marvellously neat 
structure, very deep, sometimes deeper than the inside diameter. Graf 
Wodzicki says that “an inexperienced ornithologist would take it for a 
nest of the Little Crake, so exactly similar is it, only smaller.’ He also 
states that both male and female sit on the nest, and allow themselves to 
