ACROCEPHALUS ARUNDINACEUS. 97 
108. AcROCEPHALUssTREPERUs(Vieillot) . TlieReed- Warbler. 
Not mentioned by Favier as occurring in Morocco ; nor 
does Mr. Drake appear to have observed it in that country. 
On the Spanish side it appears in spring. The exact date 
of arrival I could not ascertain ; but it is somewhere about 
the end of March. I never met with the Reed-Warbler 
during the winter months ; but in the marshes at Casa Vieja, 
about the first week in May^ I found it breeding in abundance. 
It keeps among the sallow-bushes, but builds its beautiful 
nest suspended on the dead stems of the Epilobiwn orwillow- 
herbj which grows in luxuriant tufts in the swampy jungle. 
These nests are constructed externally of strips of the rind or 
peel of the dead Epilobium-stems interwoven with sallow- 
cotton, the interior being composed of fine grass lined with 
the same material. The usual number of eggs was four, of a 
pale greenish colour, marked all over with ashy spots. 
The upper part of the plumage is a uniform pale brown ; 
chin and throat white ; the rest of the underparts pale bufi^, 
darkest on the flanks ; legs dark brown. 
Length from 5 to 5*5 inches; wing 2"5, tarsus 0*9. 
109. AcRocEPHALUS ARUNDINACEUS, L. The Great Sedge- 
Warbler. 
This large species, though it occurs in Morocco, is not 
included in Favier^s list. Exceedingly plentiful in Andalucia, 
arriving in April and chiefly frequenting tall reed-beds. They 
are very noisy, and, hke other aquatic Warblers, conceal them- 
selves at the slightest alarm. However, by ensconcing oue^s 
self and remaining quiet among the rushes, they are easily 
obtained, as they soon come out and sit singing and chattering 
on the top of some tall reed. They nest late in May, and 
build a nest resembling that of the Reed- Warbler {Acro- 
cephalus streperus) , only of course much larger. I have seen 
them building during the first fortnight in May, picking and 
carrying away the down of the bulrush to use in constructing 
their nests. The inside of the mouth is orange-yellow. 
Length about 8 inches; tarsus 1*12. The females are 
slightly the smaller. 
H 
