254 
middle to the end of April, and is eenerally dis- 
persed in this country, but is not numerous. It 
has also been found in a few instances in the south 
of Scotland. It frequents low and damp situations, 
overgrown with furze, brambles, and underwood. 
It is remarkably shy and timid, and is seldom seen 
upon the wing, generally remaining shrouded in 
the middle of the thickest furze, which it threads 
with the rapidity of a mouse. It builds in the 
closest brambles and thick underwood. ‘The nest 
is composed of dry grass, lined with similar but 
finer materials. The eggs are white, closely 
freckled with carmine spots 
WARBLER, GREAT SEDGE. 
| THRUSH-LIKE WARBLER. 
SyLvra TURDOIDES, Temm. 
A specimen of this (the largest European) War- 
bler was shot three or four miles west of New- 
castle, near the village of Swalwill, in May, 1847, 
since which time it has been met with in two or 
three instances in England. In its habits resem- 
bling the Reed Warbler, it frequents those banks 
near water which are overgrown with reeds and 
rushes, where it seeks its food, consisting of beetles, 
flies, &c. Its general appearance, and its mode 
of nesting, closely resemble those of the Reed 
Warbler. The nest, which is found in the same 
