304 SYLVIAM. 



strong. The Sedge Warbler is a summer visitor to this 

 country, arriving in April and leaving again in September ; 

 but on one occasion a single specimen was observed near 

 High "Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, in winter. Imme- 

 diately on its arrival it takes to thick cover by the water- 

 side, and is much more frequently heard than seen ; though 

 it may occasionally be observed flitting on the uppermost 

 twigs of the willows it inhabits, giving rapid utterance to 

 a succession of notes as it flies from one branch to another. 

 White of Selborne appears to have first made Pennant 

 acquainted with this species, and with his usual acuteness 

 detailed the habits of the bird, particularly remarking its 

 power of imitating the notes of other birds, and its sing- 

 ing at night. The observations of others in various locali- 

 ties have confirmed the accuracy of his remarks ; and the 

 Sedge Warbler, in the situations it frequents, may be heard 

 throughout the day and frequently during a summer night, 

 imitating the notes of various birds in a somewhat con- 

 fused and hurried manner ; and should he desist for a few 

 minutes' rest, it is only necessary to throw a stone or a clod 

 of dirt among the bushes, and he will immediately com- 

 mence a series of repetitions, but seldom quits his covered 

 retreat. 



Worms, slugs, and various aquatic insects are the food 

 of this bird. 



The nest of the Sedge Warbler has frequently been con- 

 founded with that of the Reed Warbler ; but it is usually 

 placed much nearer the ground, and seldom depends on 

 reeds for its support. It is frequently placed at or near 

 the bottom of a patch of thick coarse herbage. One nest 

 now before me is composed externally of moss at the 

 bottom : the sides are of grass and coarse bents ; the inside 

 rather deep, and thickly lined with hairs. The eggs are 

 five or six in number, eight lines long by six lines in 



