BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 331 



iug in August. Notes : call and alarm, very similar 

 to those of the Eeed Warbler, but the song is 

 said to be far finer, more melodious, and varied. It 

 is delivered during the night in a similar way to 

 that of the Nightingale. Local and other names, 

 none. Not a very close sitter, but wonderfully 

 adroit in slipping off the nest and hiding in sur- 

 rounding vegetation. 



WARBLER, REED. Also Eeed Ween. 



Description of Parent Birds. — Length about five 

 and a half incbes. Bill fairly long, strong, nearly 

 straight, dark horn colour on the upper mandible, 

 and lighter on the under, which is yellowish at 

 the base. Irides light yellowish-brown. A streak 

 of cream colour runs from the base of the beak 

 over the eyes. Head, neck, back, wings, rump, 

 upper tail-coverts, and tail-quills pale brown, with a 

 tinge of chestnut, which is most pronounced on 

 the rump ; wing-quills dusky, and bordered with pale 

 brown. Chin and throat white ; breast, flanks, and 

 under tail-coverts white, tinged with cream colour ; 

 belly white. Legs and toes dusky or slaty brown. 



The female is rather smaller than the male, but 

 similar in plumage. 



Situation and Locality. — The nest is slung or 

 suspended between the stems of reeds, at varying 

 heights above the water. It is supported generally 

 by three reeds, but upon occasion by two, four, or 

 even five. Specimens may sometimes be met with 

 amongst the branches of willow and other trees, 

 growing near sluggish water. In reed beds, osier 

 beds, and other places where suitable cover may be 

 found, on the banks of ponds, reservoirs, and sluggish 

 streams, principally on the eastern side of England. 



