** 



I O2 OUR SUMMER MIGRANTS. 



three or four times in Kent, 1 and the eggs have 

 been taken in Hertfordshire and Northampton- 

 shire. 2 The reader has only to picture to him- 

 self a bird like the Reed Wren, but twice its 

 size, and he will have an idea of the appear- 

 ance of the Great Reed Warbler. Nor does 

 the resemblance end here. It makes a nest 

 just like the Reed Wren, but much larger, and 

 lays eggs similarly coloured, but larger. It is 

 a fine species, and its loud and varied notes, 

 when once heard, can never be forgotten. 

 Those who have had opportunities, such as I 

 have enjoyed, on the opposite shores of Holland, 

 of listening to this bird will regret with me 

 that its visits to England are not more frequent. 

 It is possible, as suggested by Mr. Hancock in 

 the earliest notice of its occurrence here, 3 that it 

 may be a regular summer visitant to our island ; 

 but its song is so loud and so remarkable, that 

 I cannot think it could escape the notice of 



1 Cf. Yarrell, " Hist. Brit. Birds," vol. i. pp. 300, 301. 



2 Cf. "Ibis," 1865, p. 24. 



3 "Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist." 1847, p. 135. 



