SALICARIA PHRAGMITIS. 299 



distinguished, which no doubt would help Linnaeus to class 

 them with the Motacilla. The nest varies according to locality. 

 It is found hung amongst reeds — like the reed warbler's, but 

 most amongst sedges or rushes, or in a low bush or whin. I got 

 one with five eggs in a clump of willows at Eden, near Eden 

 Grove. It was composed of grasses, and lined with feathers, 

 tied or strung betwixt several of the willow twigs. They 

 frequent the vicinity of the old quarryhole near Dairsie Bridge. 

 Although deeper than the nest of most birds, it is not so deep 

 as the reed warbler's, unless when suspended amongst reeds, 

 like those of that bird, when it is deeper, to obviate the swaying 

 of the reeds by a breeze — for birds are intelligent architects, and 

 build their pendent cradles according to circumstances. They 

 also vary in construction ; some are compact and strong ; others 

 flimsy and fragile, but all more or less of umbelliferous plants ; 

 a little moss, and lined with the fine tops of these plants and 

 flowering grasses, with some wool, hair, or thistle-down. I have 

 got them at Kinkell amongst sedges and rashes ; and at Kenly 

 Burn, in Pitmillie Den. On the 16th June 1889, I got one at 

 Kinkell lined entirely with wool ; it was in the centre of a clump 

 of high ferns — the bird flew out, else I would not have seen it. 

 The inside cup was a perfect circle, 2| inches diameter, and not 

 so deep as usual, as if safe from wind amongst the ferns ; but 

 when I returned in a fortnight it was deserted, rather than run 

 the risk of being harried — a proof of their reliance on conceal- 

 ment. Its hiding habits make this bird seem rarer than it is, 

 and, as I have shown, may be found in various places if searched 

 for. It has a peculiar habit of singing its hurried, loquacious 

 song at night, and even during the day (though closely concealed) 

 can be made to betray itself by its song if a stone be cast into 

 its retreat — as caged birds are set a-singing by the rattling of 

 tea-cups or the hissing of the frying-pan. It is less than the 

 grasshopper warbler ; general colour, yellowish-brown ; upper 

 part of the head brownish-black, the feathers margined with 

 light brown, without the dark spots of the other ; the chin and 

 throat are white, but the distinguishing marks are the milk- 

 white streak above the eye and the tawny rump ; iris, brown ; 

 bill, dusky and sharp ; legs, blackish brown ; claws, long and 

 sharp. Length of the bird, 5§ by 7| inches in extent of wings. 

 The female is like the male in colour, but plainer. 



