f 



BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 15 



black, the feathers being margined broadly with 

 reddish-brown and tawny-grey ; wing-quills dusky, 

 narrowly bordered with tawny-red. Rump and 

 upper tail-coverts black, tinged with rusty-grey. 

 Tail-quills brownish-black, bordered on the outsides 

 with white, and slightly forked. Chin and throat 

 black, broad in the centre, and pointed on the 

 lower part of the breast. Breast on either side of 

 the black portion white, also belly and under-parts ; 

 sides and flanks tinged and streaked with brown. 

 Legs, toes, and claws dusky-brown. 



The female is smaller, and differs considerably 

 in her plumage. Her head is brown instead of 

 black ; the white collar of the male is dusky-brown 

 in her case. Chin, throat, and breast dull white. 



Situation and Locality. Generally near the 

 ground amongst long grass, rushes, nettles, and 

 sedges. I have once or twice met with it in low 

 thorn bushes, amongst grass and weeds growing 

 about the stunted branches which had been cropped 

 by sheep. Our illustration was procured in July 

 amongst the sprouts and long grass growing round 

 the stump of a felled tree on the banks of the Mole, 

 in Surrey. The nest is generally found close to 

 sluggish streams, ponds, swamps, and bodies of 

 water, though I have frequently met with it at 

 considerable distances from water. It is said to 

 have been found in trees at a height of eight or 

 nine feet. The nest may always be known from 

 that of the Reed Warbler by the fact that it is 

 never suspended. The bird breeds in nearly all 

 suitable localities throughout the British Isles. 

 I have met with it nesting in the heather by loch- 

 sides in the Outer Hebrides and in the north of 

 Caithness. 



