338 



A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



confined to body-feathers, and in no case have wing-feathers or 

 wing-coverts been found moulting, but in two examples new tail- 

 feathers were growing. 



Nestling. — (Not examined.) 



A ORIENTALIS, 



Juvenile and first winter. — As described under A. a. arun- 

 dinaceus. 



Measurements and structure.— Wing shorter than in A. a. 

 arundinaceus, 4th primary equal to or longer than 2nd, "never 

 shorter than 2nd as in A. a. arundinaceus. (^ wing 80-92 mm., tail 

 66-77, tarsus 27-30, bill from skull 21-24 (12 measured). ? wing 

 77-84. Primaries : 1st minute, half to three-quarter as long as 

 primary-coverts, 3rd longest, 2nd 1-4 mm. shorter, 4th occasionally 

 equal to 3rd, but usually 1-2 mm. shorter, usually longer than 2nd, 

 but occasionally equal, never shorter, 5th 2-5 shorter, 6th 5-8 shorter. 

 Rest of structure as in ^. a. arundinaceus. 



Soft parts. — As in A. a. arundinaceus, but legs and feet lead- 

 grey or bluish-grey. 



Breeding-habits.- — Haunts reed-beds like western race. Nest. — 

 Very similar to that of Great Reed-Warbler, built around two or 

 three reed-stems, growing in water. Eggs. — 4-5, rarely 6 ; also 

 similar but smaller on average, somewhat dingier in colouring, with 



