2QQ SYLVIADK. 



country, arriving in April and leaving again in September ; 

 but on one occasion a single specimen was observed near 

 High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire in winter. Imme- 

 diately on its arrival it takes to thick cover by the water- 

 side, and is much more frequently heard than seen ; though 

 it may occasionally be observed flitting on the uppermost 

 twigs of the willows it inhabits, giving rapid utterance to a 

 succession of notes as it flies from one branch to another. 

 White of Selborne appears to have first made Pennant ac- 

 quainted with this species, and with his usual acuteness de- 

 tailed the habits of the bird, particularly remarking its power 

 of imitating the notes of other birds, and its singing at night. 

 The observations of others in various localities have con- 

 firmed the accuracy of his remarks ; and the Sedge Warbler, 

 in the situations it frequents, may be heard throughout the 

 day, and frequently during a summer night, imitating the 

 notes of various birds in a somewhat confused and hurried 

 manner ; and should he desist for a few minutes"' rest, it is 

 only necessary to throw a stone or a clod of dirt among the 

 bushes, and he will immediately commence a series of repe- 

 titions, but seldom quits his covered retreat. 



Worms, slugs, and various aquatic insects are the food of 

 this bird. 



The nest of the Sedge Warbler has frequently been con- 

 founded with that of the Reed Warbler ; but it is usually 

 placed much nearer the ground, and seldom depends on reeds 

 for its support. It is frequently placed at or near the bot- 

 tom of a patch of thick coarse herbage. One nest now before 

 me is composed externally of moss at the bottom ; the sides 

 are of grass and coarse bents ; the inside rather deep, and 

 thickly lined with hairs. The eggs are five or six in num- 

 ber, eight lines long by six lines in breadth, of a pale yellow- 

 ish brown colour, slightly mottled, and sometimes streaked 

 with darker brown. These, according to Mr. Jenyns, are 



