140 SEDGE WARBLER. 



to be suspended, but the situation is so chosen 

 that several convenient stalks support the fabric, 

 and are often wrought into its substance. It is 

 composed of moSs, dry grasses, and leaves, lined 

 with the finer grasses and hair, and is often of a 

 rather large but careless form. The eggs are 

 small, from six to seven in number, and of a pale 

 wood brown, minutely and confusedly speckled 

 with darker shades. 



In localities such as we have mentioned, the 

 Sedge Warbler is generally spread over the British 

 islands, avoiding the more mountainous districts, 

 but reaching to the extremity of Scotland.* In 

 Europe, its range extends far northward, reach- 

 ing the arctic circle, f It is abundantly distri- 

 buted also over the middle and southern parts ; 

 and it is recorded by Mr Strickland as being 

 found in the vicinity of Smyrna. 



Over each eye a distinct pale yellowish white 

 streak ; crown of the head deep yellowish brown, 

 marked with deep umber brown ; the marks imme- 

 diately above the eye streak confluent, so as to 

 form nearly an uninterrupted stripe; back oil 

 green, with the centre of each feather darker, 

 and nearly umber brown ; rump yellowish brown ; 

 wings and tail blackish brown, the latter paler ; 

 the quills and coverts margined with pale greyish 

 brown ; chin, throat, and centre of the belly nearly 

 pure white ; the other under parts yellowish 

 white, darkest across the breast. The female 

 differs only in the clearness of the colouring, and 

 * Selby. t Pennant. 



