PRELIMINARY CLASSIFIED NOTES 19 



been published all point to the probability of the southward journey being under- 

 taken as soon as possible, and by the middle of August they appear to have all left 

 our shores, [j. L. B.] 



4. Nest and Eggs. Placed usually among dead bracken on a hillside in a 

 wood, less frequently on level ground, and built of dead bracken, with a little grass 

 and moss. In shape it resembles those of the other Phylloscopi. Internally it is 

 neatly lined with dry grasses and sometimes a few horsehairs, but no feathers. 

 Exceptionally this species has been reported as nesting under a tree-root or in a 

 rabbit-hole ! (PI. xxi.) The cock has been seen to assist the hen in building. 

 (E. L. T.) Eggs, usually 6 or 7 in number, rarely 8 ; ground-colour white, thickly 

 spotted all over with dark red-brown, inclining to purplish, and so easily distinguished 

 from those of the other leaf -warblers. (PI. D.) Average size of 100 eggs, -62 x -34 

 in. [15-8 x 8'6 mm.]. Laying begins towards the latter part of May in most cases, 

 though a few pairs have eggs by mid-May. Incubation lasts about 13 days, and is 

 performed by the hen for the most part, though Naumann states that the cock 

 relieves her in the afternoon. This, however, seems to need confirmation. One 

 brood only is reared in the season. [F. c. E. j.] 



5. Food. Insects and their larvae, upon which the young are also fed and by 

 both parents. Berries appear to be eaten in the autumn. [F. B. K.] 



6. Song Period. From its arrival till early in July. It does not appear to 

 resume its song before its departure, which takes place apparently early in August, 

 if not sooner. [F. B. K.] 



REED-WARBLER [Acrocephalm streperus (Vieillot). Reed-wren, reed- 

 sparrow. French, rousserolle effarvatte ; German, Teich-Rohrsdnger ; Italian, 

 cannaiola.~] 



I. Description. The reed-warbler is with difficulty distinguished from the 

 marsh-warbler, but it may generally be recognised by its browner coloration and the 

 more or less distinct rufous hue of the rump. Further, in the reed-warbler the 

 primaries are somewhat narrower, and the inner web of the second quill is distinctly 

 emarginate, the emargination extending backwards to the level of the eighth quill. 

 (PI. 55.) The upper parts are of an olive-brown colour, inclining to rufous, especi- 

 ally on the rump. The primary coverts, quills, and tail are of a brownish grey 

 colour, with more or less distinct margins of the same colour as the back. The 

 throat and abdomen are white, but the fore-breast is of a light greyish buff, and the 



