REED WARBLER. 117 



ings are distributed on the larger end of the egg. 

 Average measurement, 73 inch in length, by '55 inch in 

 breadth. Incubation, performed chiefly by the female, 

 lasts fourteen days. 



DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS : The much clearer and 

 whiter ground colour of the eggs of the Marsh Warbler 

 distinguish them from those of the closely-allied Reed 

 Warbler. The situation and construction of the nest are 

 also different. 



Family TURDID^. Genus AcROCEriiALUS. 



Sub-family SYLVIIN^. 



REED WARBLER. 



ACROCEPHALUS ARUNDINACEUS (BnSSOIl). 



Single Brooded. Laying season, May and June. 



BRITISH BREEDING AREA : The Reed Warbler is a 

 summer visitor to our islands, reaching them towards 

 the end of April or early in May. It is somewhat 

 locally distributed, being rare or entirely absent from 

 many apparently suitable localities, and abundant in 

 others. Its principal head-quarters are in the southern, 

 midland, and eastern counties. I do not think it breeds 

 anywhere on the south-western peninsula of England, 

 including Devon and Cornwall. In Wales it is rare and 

 local, but breeds in Breconshire, and is said to be com- 

 mon near the Llangorse Lake. It becomes rare and 

 local in Lancashire and Cumberland, and is only known 

 to breed as far north as Ripon in Yorkshire, but does so 

 in considerable numbers at Hornsea Mere. It has also 

 been said to breed on the Durham side of the Tyne. 



