72 BIRD LIFE IN WILD WALES 



able fish is seen ; but its usual modus operandi is to 

 wait on some stump or convenient bough till a shoal 

 of minnows or other small fry appear, when, like a 

 flash, in it goes and rarely returns without a captive. 



In certain parts of the stream, especially where osier- 

 beds abound, the gay Reed Buntings have their resort, 

 and a very pleasing sight a pair of these birds afford 

 as they flit from reed to reed. The nest is usually to 

 be found in the tangled undergrowth of the withies or 

 among rank grass or sedges ; and though of rather 

 rough exterior, is neatly enough lined with horsehair 

 and occasionally with vegetable down. The eggs do 

 not vary much, and are of a greyish or olive brown 

 ground, with streaks and spots of purplish black and 

 underlying markings of violet grey. The streaks, how- 

 ever, are not so intricate as in the case of the Yellow 

 or Corn Buntings. The cock bird assists his hen in 

 the task of incubation, as we have proved on more 

 than one occasion. Talking of this species, we may 

 mention that whilst at Winchester College a friend of 

 ours "drew a bow at a venture" with his catapult at one 

 of these birds flying across the Itchen and actually 

 brought it down ! A tall story, but true nevertheless. 



In the same haunts, amongst the osiers, we shall 

 certainly meet with the Sedge Warbler, and if there 

 be reeds intermingled, the Reed Warbler as well, 

 though this last-named species is somewhat local in 

 its distribution. Both these birds are migrants to our 

 shores, the former reaching them during the latter half 

 of April, the latter about the third day of May, though 

 we have known it arrive considerably earlier. 



The Sedge-bird's home we shall find amongst the 



