OF VICTORIA. 219 



genus upon the similar water places of the western colony. 

 The Reed- Warbler and Grass-bird live peaceably tof^etherin 

 the same reeds, though tliey are of opposite natures in 

 many respects. The former whistles in the day, richly and 

 harmoniously, just as it does in the night ; builds an open 

 nest, lays plain eggs, and lives in water reeds. The latter 



Fig. 48, Nest of Reed-Warbler. One-sixth natural size. 



calls weirdly at night, and is quieter in the day, builds a 

 side-entranced nest, lays brightly-coloured eggs, and lives at 

 times in reeds (generally when breeding), and in other 

 months in the dry, swampy bushes, not directly in the 

 creek, but in the winter overflow. The food of the Reed- 

 Warbler is largely insects. Holders of river frontages 

 benefit by the incursions of the young and old birds in 



