376 BRITISH BIRDS. 
I found two nests of this species—one on July 21st, from which the young 
ones had flown, the other about a quarter of a mile lower down the brook, 
which was not finished when I found it on July 3rd, but on the 15th 
contained four eggs somewhat incubated. The first nest was supported 
by last year’s nettle-stalks and the greater willow-herb, and was about a 
foot from the ground. The second was about three feet from the ground 
and supported by figwort and nettle-stalks, and was some distance from the 
bank of the stream. The eggs are very different from those of the Reed- 
Warbler, and more resemble those of the Great Reed-Warbler, but are 
smaller. The nest, though suspended in the same way as that of the 
common species, is more loosely constructed, of grasses, both stalks and 
flowers being used; it is not so deep, and has no wool about it, this being 
generally a feature in the Reed-Warbler’s nest. Nor was the locality one 
where I should have expected to find the Reed-Warbler, the stream being 
small, with an entire absence of reeds, the banks fringed with alders and 
willows, and in places a considerable growth of coarse herbage. I heard 
the song several times, and noted its difference from that of the Sedge- 
Warbler, which also frequented the same place. My unmusical ear, 
however, failed to distinguish it from that of the Reed-Warbler, with 
which I am well acquainted. I scarcely: saw the parent birds, as they 
were very shy and kept carefully out of sight. The hen bird left the nest 
when I approached it the second time.” 
On the continent the geographical range of the Marsh-Warbler differs 
but very slightly from that of the Reed-Warbler. It is a regular summer 
visitor to most parts of Europe south of the Baltic. In Russia it has been 
found as far north as Réval in the west and Ekatereenburg in the east. 
Finsch records it from South-west Siberia. Russow obtained it in Western 
Turkestan, and Blanford in South Persia. Its occurrence in Asia Minor 
or Palestine is doubtful. It winters an Africa, having been recorded 
from various parts of the valley of the Nile, Egypt, Nubia, and Lado, 
almost on the equator. It is also said to winter as far south as Natal. 
The Marsh-Warbler is one of the latest birds of passage to arrive at its 
breeding-grounds, and one of the earliest to leave in autumn. It is said 
to arrive about the middle of May, and to depart late in August. The 
Marsh-Warbler does not frequent reeds as the Reed-Warbler generally 
does, but confines itself principally to swampy thickets, where brambles 
struggle through the rank herbage that almost smothers them, and tall 
willows rise above the brushwood, generally near water, but seldom over- 
hanging the stream. It is not nearly so skulking in its habits as its 
nearest relation, but is often seen perched conspicuously on the tops of 
the willows pouring out its song, or making a long flight from one tree 
to another. It is a far finer singer than its near ally. It sings quite as 
loud; but its voice is more melodious and its song more varied. Some- 
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