

n6 BRITISH BIRDS, WITH THEIR NESTS AND EGGS 



is very prolific in imitations of the songs of other species, frequently even more 

 versatile than the Icterine Warbler, thongh in strength of voice, in purity and 

 flute-like character of tone, it stands a good distance behind it. Probably Herr 

 Rausch bases his remarks chiefly on wild specimens ; but it is quite possible that 

 he may also have heard them in captivity. 



Family TURDID&. Subfamily S YL VIIN^E. 



THE GREAT REED-WARBLER. 



Acrocepkalus turdoides, MEYER. 



A CCORDING to Seebohm, the only satisfactorily authenticated instance of the 

 ~\_ occurrence of this species in our islands is one shot near Newcastle on the 

 28th May, 1847, by Mr. Thomas Robson. Howard Saunders, however, evidently 

 believes in three other British killed specimens, one shot near Wingham in Kent, 

 on September i4th, 1881, one near Ringwood, Hampshire, on June 3rd, 1884, and 

 one shot near Sittingbourne in Kent, at some unknown date : he also believes in 

 the existence of a specimen which frequented the Norfolk broads. 



As the species breeds annually at Calais, and is common both in Holland and 

 Belgium, Mr. Saunders considers it a marvel that its visits to our shores are so 

 rare. At best this can only be regarded as a casual wanderer to Great Britain. 



