NATURE'S CAROL SINGERS. 



together with the dark stripes on its 

 back, readily distinguish it from its rela- 

 tive, the Reed Warbler. 



This species breeds in suitable locali- 

 ties nearly all over the British Islands, 

 with exception of the Shetlands. I have 

 met with it in tiny clumps of willows 

 growing by small stream-sides high up 

 amongst the Westmorland Fells. 



Its home is amongst reeds, rushes, 

 osiers, brambles, and all kinds of bushes 

 near to lakes, swamps, rivers, ponds, 

 and ditches, although it may occasion- 

 ally be met with breeding at a consider- 

 able distance from water. 



The Sedge Warbler builds its nest in 

 rushes, brambles, bushes, and almost any 

 kind of thick, tangled herbage. It is 

 generally lower down than that of the 

 Reed Warbler, sometimes quite upon the 

 ground. I have found it on several occa- 

 sions upon young pollards a yard from 

 the ground, and once in a hedgerow at 

 an elevation of five or six feet. The 

 structure is loosely built and composed 

 of grass and moss outside, lined with 

 willow down and horsehair. It is fre- 

 quently adorned with a large white 

 feather protruding over the outside 

 edge or bending inwards in such a 

 146 



