72 OUR MIGRANT BIRDS 



SEDGE WARBLER {Acrocephalus phragmitis). 



April to September. Local in extreme North ; 

 otherwise common and generally distributed. 



Haunts. — River banks, marshy places, and the like. 



Observation. — Distinguish from the Reed Warbler by 

 lighter upper parts and more pronounced eye-stripe. 



Plumage. — Head-feathers black, with brown edges ; 

 pale buff superciliary streak over eyes. Lores smoky 

 brown. Chin and throat white ; upper parts greyish 

 golden-brown, with dark centres to feathers. Primaries 

 greyish brown, narrowly edged with white ; under parts 

 huffish, passing into white on abdomen. Rump and 

 upper tail-coverts reddish brown. Bill dark brown 

 above, lighter below. Legs light brown. Length 5 in. 

 Female similar but duller. Young spotted with brown 

 on breast. 



Language. — An incessant singer, the song being harsh 

 and chiding, interspersed here and there with notes 

 very similar to those of several species. It sings by 

 night as well as by day. Alarm-note, *' chuck-uck-uck- 

 uck-churr." Call-note, " chiddy-chiddy." 



Habits. — Not particularly shy, but difficult to observe, 

 owing to its intense restlessness. When alarmed it at 

 once rattles out its curious babbling song. 



Food. — Aquatic insects and their larvae, slugs, and 

 worms ; also soft fruits, e.g., elderberries. 



Nest. — May onwards. Two broods. 



Site. — Low down amongst thick aquatic herbage, or at 

 foot of hedge or bush amongst undergrowth. 



Materials. — Dead leaves, grasses, and stalks, lined 

 with fine grass, hair, vegetable-down, and perhaps a 

 few feathers and a little wool. Cup fairly deep. 



^gS^- — Four to six. Dull white, mottled and clouded 



