The Mimic of the Sedges 



DOWN by the old mill-stream, in sunlight and in soft 

 moonlight, the sedge-warbler pours out for us every 

 summer his chattering, scolding medley of a song. 

 It is enough to set him singing if a boat drifts by his 

 reedy haunt. 



And he will sing as often and as long as you please. 

 Always restless and in a hurry, he sings as he pursues 

 his food. You see him at one moment, a slim, greyish- 

 brown bird, with white throat, pale buff under-parts, 

 very distinct eye-streaks, and a curiously rounded tail ; 

 next moment he is gone, for he delights in playing at 

 hide-and-seek. 



His nest is near to the ground, as a rule, though we 

 have found it high in a willow bush : deep and com- 

 pact, of grasses or reeds and moss, lined with hair or 

 down. The eggs are a pale brownish hue, freckled 

 over with light brown and dull grey, a few fine hair- 

 streaks among them. 



Sedge-birds arrive in April, and stay a long time 

 till October. 



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