BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 467 



is far finer, more melodious, and varied. It is 

 delivered during the night as well as by day in a 

 similar way to that of the Nightingale, and the 

 bird is a wonderful mimic. Local or other name : 

 none. Not a very close sitter, but wonderfully 

 adroit in slipping off the nest and hiding in sur- 

 rounding vegetation. 



WARBLER, REED. Also REED WREN. 



(Acrocephahis streperus.) 

 Order PASSERES ; Family SYLVIID^: (WARBLERS). 



Description of Parent Birds. 

 Length about five and a half 

 inches. Bill fairly long, strong, 

 nearly straight, dark horn colour 

 on the upper mandible, and lighter 

 on the under, which is yellowish 

 at the base. Irides light yellow- 

 ish-brown. A streak of cream 

 YOUNG REED WARBLER. co } our run s from the base of the 



beak over the eyes. Head, neck, back, wings, rump, 

 upper tail-coverts, and tail-quills pale brown, with a 

 tinge of chestnut, which is most pronounced on 

 the rump ; wing -quills dusky, and bordered with 

 pale brown. Chin and throat white ; breast, flanks, 

 and under tail-coverts white, tinged with cream 

 colour ; belly white. Legs and toes dusky or slaty 

 brown. 



The female is rather smaller than the male, but 

 similar in plumage. 



Situation and Locality. The nest is slung or 

 suspended between the stems of reeds, at varying 

 heights above the water. It is supported generally 



