WOOD-WEEN 79 



species. Six eggs are laid, transparent white, spotted and speckled 

 with dark brown, purple and grey. 



The wood-wren differs from most of the warblers in being 

 exclusively an insect-eater. 



A fourth member of this genus, the yellow-browed warbler 

 (Pliylloscopus super ciliosus), which breeds in Northern Siberia, has 

 been met with as a rare straggler in this country. 



Two more warblers, belonging to different genera, must be 

 mentioned here as stragglers to England : the icterme warbler 

 (Hypolais icterina) and the rufous warbler (Aedon galectodes). 



Reed- Warbler. 



Acrocephalus streperus. 



Upper plumage uniform reddish brown, without spots ; a white 

 streak or spot between the eye and bill ; throat white ; under 

 plumage very pale buff. Length, five and a half inches. 



The reed- warbler closely resembles the sedge-warbler, next to 

 be described, in size, colouring, and general appearance, also in 

 language and habits ; but is a much less common species, more 

 local in its distribution, and is, consequently, not nearly so well 

 known. He arrives in this country about the middle of April, and 

 inhabits dense reed-beds in dykes, marshes, and the borders of 

 rivers, where he skulks, for the most part out of sight ; but his 

 loquacity betrays his presence, for he is a persistent singer, especially 

 in the early part of the day, and again in the evening. His song 

 resembles that of the sedge-warbler in its curious mingling of 

 musical and harsh notes, its hurried and somewhat angry scolding 

 character, but is less powerful, the harsh notes less harsh and 

 vigorous a sweeter but not so interesting a performance. Like the 

 nearly allied species, he bursts into singing when excited by fear or 

 solicitude for the safety of his nest. He is an exceedingly restless 

 little creature, incessantly hopping from stem to stem, now r mounting 

 to the surface of the reeds, and almost instantly dropping into con- 

 cealment again. Even where the birds are many, it is only by patient 

 waiting and watching that an occasional glimpse of one can be got. 

 His food consists of small insects, caught on the wing and on the 

 leaves and stems of the reeds and aquatic herbage. The nest is a deep, 



