THE MARSH BIRDS OF SUSSEX. 51 



were laid under them. Barnes brought down the 

 nest and four eggs, which he had extracted with the 

 aid of a long spoon ; but before he had packed them 

 up, his eldest boy shouted out, " I have found a Reed 

 Warbler's nest !" (Sylvia arundinacea), and, lo ! we saw 



one suspended by three reeds, quite in the water, 

 near a large willow overhanging a brook about fifteen 

 yards off. It was a fine nest, and a good deal of 

 sheep's wool was used in its construction, but it was 

 rather beyond our reach. It was a pretty sight to see 

 the nest waving to and fro in the reeds. The bird 

 had flown, but Barnes and I crouched down in the 

 long grass for about five minutes, soon to hear 

 E 2 



