THE BIRDS OF RAINHAM 25 



any rough herbage ; this is generally the case where 

 the ditches divide the marshes from the plough land. 



REED-WARBLER. 

 Acrocephalus streperus (Vieillot). 



The Reed-warbler, as its name implies, is never met 

 with as a rule beyond the reach of a spot where reeds 

 grow ; they seem to know the time when the reeds 

 afford them shelter and protection in May. I have a 

 specimen of the Marsh- Warbler if the distinction is 

 a broader bill than that of the Reed-warbler which 

 was shot in a garden beside a reed bed at Milton, 

 May 1866. 



BLACKCAP- WARBLER. 

 Sylvia atricapilla (Linn.). 



The merry Blackcap comes in spring rather 

 earlier than the Nightingale, leading the way and 

 preparing us for the advent of its superior rival ; at the 

 same time the note of the Blackcap is one among the 

 many Warblers that come afterwards, and stands 

 next to the Nightingale. He frequents our gardens, 

 sings close to our doors directly on coming, making 

 us at once acquainted with his presence. 



GARDEN WARBLER. 

 Sylvia salicaria (Linn.). 



The Garden Warbler was frequent in our gardens 

 before the setting in of the cold wet summers, since 



