28 THE GRASSHOPPER WARBLER 
which every one knows so well. Of this the Sedge Warbler had 
caught exactly both the key and the time ; the two notes were in fact 
identical, except that they were performed on instruments of different 
calibre. Like other chatterers, who, when they have finished their 
song, are easily provoked to begin again, the Sedge Warbler, if he 
does occasionally retire toa bed of reeds and there holds his peace, 
may be excited to repeat his whole story over again, with variations 
and additions, by flinging a stone into his breathing-place. And 
not content with babbling all day, he extends his loquacity far 
into the night; hence he has been called the Sedge Nightingale, 
but with doubtful propriety, for, with all the will perhaps to vie 
with that prince of songsters, the zinzinare of the Nightingale is 
far beyond his powers. Yet in spite of his obtrusiveness, he is an 
amusing and a pleasant companion to the wanderer by the river’s 
side: his rivalry is devoid of malice, and his mimicry gives no one 
pain. While at rest—if he is ever to be detected in this state—he 
may be distinguished from all other birds frequenting similar haunts 
by his rounded tail, and a light narrow mark over each eye. His 
food consists of worms, insects, and freshwater mollusks, for which 
he hunts among the stems of aquatic plants. Asan architect, he 
displays great skill, constructing his nest among low bushes, never 
at any great distance from the water, about a foot from the ground. 
It is composed of stems and leaves of dead grass, moss and fine 
roots, and lined with hair, wool, feathers, and the down of various 
marsh plants. The structure is large, compact, and deep, suspended 
from, rather than built on, its supports. The eggs are usually five 
or six in number, though as many as seven have been sometimes 
found. 
THE GRASSHOPPER WARBLER 
LOCUSTELLA NEVIA 
Upper parts light brown, with a tinge of green, and presenting a spotted 
appearance, owing to the centres of the feathers being darkest ; tail long, 
rounded at the extremity and tapering towards the base; under parts 
whitish brown, the breast marked with darker spots ; feet and toes light 
brown. Length five and a half inches; breadth seven anda half. Eggs 
reddish white, closely speckled with darker red. 
As long ago as the time when a stroll of five-and-twenty miles 
fatigued me less than a journey of ten does now—when I returned 
from my botanical rambles with tin boxes, hands and pockets, 
laden with stores of flowers, ferns, and mosses, my homeward path 
often led me through a certain valley and wood on the skirts of 
Dartmoor, known by the names of Bickleigh Vale and Fancy 
Wood. It often happened that twilight was fading into gloom 
when I reached this stage in my wanderings—the last of the even- 
ing songsters had hushed its note; for this county, beautiful as it 
