22 THE WARBLERS 



3. Migration. This bird is such a scarce and local summer visitor to Great 

 Britain that no details are forthcoming as to its migratory movements to and from 

 these islands. It would appear to arrive about the beginning of June (Warde 

 Fowler, Zool., 1906, p. 401), and is thus our latest migrant, [j. L. B.] 



4. Nest and Eggs. Nesting place : among rank vegetation in osier beds, 

 hedge bottoms and dry ditches, often in low-lying ground, but by no means in- 

 variably so. The nest is not nearly so deep as those of the other Acrocephali, and 

 more resembles those of the Sylvice. It is attached to the stems of meadowsweet, 

 osiers, willow-herb, nettles, and other plants at a height of 2 to 4 ft. from the ground 

 by means of characteristic ' basket handles,' and is composed of dead grasses, lined 

 with roots and a little horsehair. (PI. xxi.) I do not find any note as to whether 

 the male shares the work of building, but as his song ceases abruptly when nesting 

 begins, it is probable that he takes his part. Eggs, 4 to 5, sometimes 6 in number, 

 with a bluish or greenish white ground, boldly blotched with olive and violet-grey 

 and numerous fine olive specks as well as a few blackish markings. (PL D.) 

 Average size of 130 eggs, -74 x -53 in. [18-8 x 13'5 mm.]. In England the eggs are 

 generally laid about the second or third week in June. The incubation period is 

 variously given at from 13 to 15 days, and the hen takes the greater share, though 

 relieved by the cock in the afternoon. Only one brood is reared. [F. c. R. J.] 



5. Food. Insects and their larvae, and in autumn berries. The young are 

 probably fed by both parents, no doubt on insects and their larvse. [w. F.] 



6. Song Period. From arrival in end of May to early in July. According to 

 Mr. W. Warde Fowler the male ceases to sing when the nest is built. I have 

 heard one singing vigorously after the full clutch of eggs was laid, but Mr. Warde 

 Fowler's observations extend over many years, and show that the rule is for singing 

 to practically cease when the eggs are laid. The song period, as with other 

 species, is protracted by reason of certain individuals nesting late, owing either 

 to late arrival in nesting quarters or to their first attempts at nesting being 

 disturbed, [w. F.] 



SEDGE- WARBLER [Acrocephalus schoenobcenus (Linnaeus). A. phragmitis 

 (Bechst.). Sedge-bird, sedge-chat, chamchider, mock-nightingale. French, 

 bee- fin des joncs ; German, Schilfrohrsdnger ; Italian, forapaglie.] 



I. Description. The sedge-warbler is easily recognised by its conspicuous 

 buff eye-stripe, the black striation on the crown and back and the rufescent rump. 



