279 



are found among the twigs of Willow or Sallow bushes both in Germany 

 and Italy, as much as 7 or 8 ft. from the water, or even at some dis- 

 tance from it. One is recorded in the J. f. 0., 1881. p. 313, as being 

 12 ft. above the ground. In shape the nest is cylindrical, built of leaves 

 of grasses, reeds and sedges, with roots interwoven, and reed blossoms 

 worked into the foundation, lined with stalks, reed blossoms, or plant 

 down and sometimes a few horsehairs or a feather or two, forming a 

 deep cup. Height about 5t — 6i in., outer diameter, 4 — 41 in., inner 

 diameter, 21 in. 



Generally 4 or 5, sometimes 6, and occasionally only 3 in number. Eggs. 

 In appearance they approach to the Marsh Warbler type, but are of 

 course much larger. The ground colour is as a rule bluish or greenish 

 sometimes with an olive tinge, very boldly blotched (especially towards 

 the big end) with dark umber brown or blackish broM^. There are 

 generally some smaller spots as well, and underlying shell spots and 

 blotches of ashy grey or paler olive. A pretty variety has a distinctly 

 blue ground: another has only a few fine grey and black spots, sometimes 

 in a zone, on a whitish ground: while a third variety has a cap of dark 

 umber shading into a belt of pale olive at the big end, on a greyish 

 white ground. In shape they are a somewhat blunt oval and show little 

 gloss as a rule. 



Breeding 



This varies to some extent according to the season, and the result- season. 

 ant growth of the reeds, and some pairs will be found nesting a fort- 

 night or so before the majority. In Holland the best time for eggs is 

 about the second week in June, and about mid June in E. Germany, 

 but clutches may be taken there occasionally as early as the third week 

 in May. In N. Italy full sets may be taken from May 19, and in S. 

 Spain from about May 15. Incubation is said to last 14 days, and the 

 young soon leave the shelter of the nest, climbing with extraordinary 

 activity among the reed stems while still unfledged. Only one brood is 

 reared in the season. 



Average of 100 eggs (60 by Rey and 40 by the writer), 22.56 X 16.24, Mea.ure- 

 Max. 24.8 X 16.3 and 23 X 17.2, Min. 20.9 x 16.2 and 21.2 x 15.3. 

 These measurements are however sometimes exceeded: abnormally long 

 eggs measure 26.2 X 15 (coll. H. M. Wallis), 25.5 X 16, etc. Average 

 weight, 178 mg. (Rey). 



h. Caspian Great Reed Warbler, A. amndinaceus zarudnyi Hart. 



A. arundinaceiis zarudnyi Hart. Hartert, Vog. Pal. Fauna, p. 558. 



Breeding Range: The mouth of the Volga and the Kirghis 

 Steppes. [Also Transcaspia and Turkestan.] 



ments. 



