THE EEED WAEBLEE 



(Acrocephalus arundinaceus) 



THE Eeed Warbler's range in this country is very similar to 

 that of the Nightingale ; it is a southern and eastern species, 

 frequenting the lowlands by the banks of the large rivers and 

 canals and in the fens. As its name implies, it is a bird of 

 the reeds and the sedges. It frequents the willow thickets 

 by the riverside, the osier beds in the still backwaters, 

 the reeds that fringe the margins of drains and ditches, 

 ponds, and broads, and even the dense underwood by the side 

 of streams. The Eeed Warbler is a spring visitor to this 

 country, arriving in its old haunts late in April or early in 

 May, according to the state of the season, and when the reeds 

 which are its harbour of refuge are sufficiently high to afford 

 it shelter. Few birds are more shy and retiring in their habits 

 than the Eeed Warbler. He delights to skulk in the reeds 

 and willows, only letting the observer get a casual glimpse of 

 him as he flits across the open water from one fringe of reeds 

 to the other, or when he runs mouse-like up a tall bending 

 stem to take a peep at the busy world. Earely is he driven 

 from his reedy covers, and only for a moment does he remain 

 in full view. If you wish to observe him more closely, you 

 must conceal yourself amongst the reeds and await his appear- 

 ance. On the dull windy days he keeps very close and does 

 not sing much ; but on the bright June mornings, and in the 

 calm warm stillness of the summer evenings he gambols 



