142 REED WARBLER. 



with a little wool, the sides of the nest, which 

 frequently measures five inches in depth on the 

 outside, three inches in breadth across the top, 

 and very frequently three inches deep inside. 

 The lining is formed of very fine grass and long 

 hairs. The nest is made so deep, that the eggs 

 do not roll out when the supporting reeds are 

 moved by the wind."* 



In England, it has not been observed northward 

 of Stafford and Derbyshire, and it has not yet 

 occurred in Scotland. In Ireland, a single 

 instance is mentioned of its occurrence near Bel- 

 fast. On the Continent it occurs moderately 

 plentiful in suitable localities, but does not extend 

 far to the north. Out of Europe we have no 

 knowledge of its occurrence. 



In this species the bill is a little more dilated at 

 the base than in the preceding or following. The 

 space between the bill and the eyes pale yellowish 

 white, running in an indistinct streak above each 

 eye ; the whole of the upper plumage is oil green, 

 tinged with brown, and of a yellower shade on 

 the rump ; the edges of the feathers composing 

 the wings are paler ; the under parts are yellow- 

 ish white, of a deeper tint across the breast and 

 flanks. The difference between the sexes is 

 trifling. In this form, we see a uniform and un- 

 broken colouring, which is possessed also by one 

 or two species from southern Africa. In the more 

 varied marking of the last and next species, \v& 

 have an alliance with Swainson's genus Hemip- 

 leriz, also South African. 



* Yarrell, British Birds, i. p. 271. 



