82 British Birds^ 



possibly associated with the Willow Wrens, and so 

 overlooked. 



GREAT EEED ^^ K^^\^Y:^-{Acrocephalns 



turdoides). 



An accidental visitor in this country. 



REED WARBLER— (^^rr^^^/Z/^/^^i- streperiis ; 

 formerly, Salicaria arundiyiacea). 



Reed Wren, Night Warbler. — Almost as zealous a 

 songster as the Sedge Warbler. There are few hours 

 in the twenty-four when its voice may not be heard 

 about its accustomed haunts ; namely, willow and 

 reed beds, and particularly the latter. The nest is, 

 perhaps, the deepest made by any Enc,dish bird, and 

 quite a long inverted cone in shape. It is aiExed to, 

 or rather built so as to include th^se or four reeds, or 

 more. So that, however the wind blows, it is quite 

 fast, while its great depth prevents the eggs falling 

 out, even if the reeds be blown almost^ -Jevel. The 

 bird has been seen still sitting when the violent gusts 

 forced the nest down almost to the water level. The 

 nest is made of long grass and the seed-stalks of the 

 reed, and lined with wool or the like. Four or five 

 eggs of a greenish-white colour, marked in spots and 

 dashes of green and pale brown, are usually laid. — 

 Fig. 4, plate III. 



SEDGE ^ K^^li^^—^Acrocephalus schoenoboemis ; 

 formerly, Salicaria phragmitis). 



This everlasting little songster is more common than 

 the bird last named, and almost every boy knows its 



