GREAT REED WARBLER 



PLATE CXX. 



Acrocephalus turdoides, MEYER. 



Salicaria turdoides, YARRELL. 



THE Great Reed Warbler is common on the Conti- 

 nent, but is very rarely seen in England, although its 

 large size and chattering song would be sure to attract 

 attention. 



It is not known to have nested in this country. Its 

 nest, which is found in the reed-beds of temperate Europe, 

 is cup-shaped, some five inches deep, and formed of dry 

 grass and the blossoms and tops of reeds. The whole is 

 woven into and suspended from several upright reed stems. 



The eggs, four to six in number, are pale greenish 

 blue, blotched and speckled with ash colour. The bird 

 only rears one brood during the season, and in September 

 migrates to Africa. This bird has unfortunately been de- 

 scribed under other names. In the early edition of Yarrell 

 it was known as the Thrush-like Warbler, and by some 

 others it has been named the Great Sedge Warbler, but it 

 is more correctly termed the Great Reed Warbler. 



