THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 
the Reed Warbler in its habits and economy. It is 
perhaps not quite so retiring, but resents scrutiny, and 
hides away amongst the cover with little provocation. 
It sings with equal persistency, both by day and by night, 
its voice being a mixture of pleasant warbling and harsh, 
discordant chatter. Most birds cease their song if dis- 
turbed ; the Sedge Warbler may usually be induced to 
break into music by throwing a stone into the cover. 
Many pairs frequent one locality, not from any social 
tendency, perhaps, but owing to the suitability of the 
situation. Shortly after arrival the birds are somewhat 
restless, and may often be seen in the trees and hedges ; 
pairing may have something to do with this, for as the 
breeding season comes on more secretive habits are 
developed. During its stay with us the Sedge Warbler 
seldom takes any extended flights, confining itself chiefly 
to the cover, where it is for ever in motion, slipping about 
amongst the vegetation, appearing fitfully here and there, 
and from time to time uttering a scolding churr or a string 
of chattering cries. It feeds chiefly upon insects and larve 
and small worms, to which are added the smaller fruits. 
The nest is made in May or early June; and in the matter 
of its family arrangements the Sedge Warbler is by no 
means confined to the waterside, neither does it suspend 
its cradle from reeds or twigs. It is usually placed amongst 
the long matted grass and weeds growing ona bank, or at 
the foot of an osier or other bush, frequently in the 
branches of a willow, or in a dense hedge or thicket of 
brambles, briars, nettles, and so forth. It is a small, 
cup-shaped structure, loosely made of dry grass, moss, 
and withered leaves of aquatic plants, lined with horse- 
hair, a little down, or even a few feathers. One I recently 
saw from the banks of the Brent near Stonebridge had 
a fair quantity of the latter. The five or six eggs are 
greyish white, more or less densely freckled with yellowish 
brown, and sparingly streaked (sometimes not at all) 
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