226 ALLEN'S NATURALIST'S LIBRARY. 



whither it migrates apparently by the eastern side of the conti- 

 nent, as it has been obtained in East Africa on passage. 



Habits. Although not often seen by the ordinary observer, 

 the Sedge-Warbler's note is familiar to most dwellers in the 

 country, and those who do not know the bird by sight are 

 well acquainted with its noisy and chattering song, which can be 

 heard from early morning till late at night, and even when dark- 

 ness has fallen, the Sedge-Warbler and its companion, the Reed- 

 Warbler, may be heard singing, keeping company with the 

 richer notes of the Nightingale. It does not, as its name 

 would imply, confine its habitat to the sedges, for it is found 

 in all kinds of situations, seldom very far from water. It 

 will hunt for food by the side of a lake or river, keeping well 

 out of sight, excepting when it is tempted to ascend to the top 

 of a reed or small bush and give forth its song as it works its 

 way up. It may, however, be just as often met with in a reedy 

 ditch, and as often as not in bushes and shrubberies at some 

 little distance from the water, to the neighbourhood of which, 

 however, it always returns before long. In the autumn the 

 family parties frequent the willows and reed-beds in the 

 Thames Valley, and the young birds may often be seen 

 running, like little Mice, over the masses of dead rushes and 

 plants which collect in some of the reed-beds and back- 

 waters. The song of the Sedge- Warbler is unmistakable, and 

 is uttered from the depths of its retreat. A stone thrown in to 

 start the bird generally results in setting it off singing, and it is 

 very difficult to dislodge it and drive it into the open. When 

 not alarmed, however, it may often be seen flying across the 

 rivers to the other bank, or taking short excursions to the 

 neighbouring hedge-rows. Most of the notes of the song are 

 harsh and not altogether musical, but some of them are very 

 clear and pleasing. When alarmed it gives vent to a kind of 

 " churr"-\ng note, especially when anyone approaches the 

 vicinity of the nest. 



Nest. This is not suspended between reeds like that of the 

 Reed-Warbler, but, when built among the rushes, is either sup- 

 ported on dead cross-stems of the latter, or it is placed on an 

 overhanging branch. Occasionally it is placed in a bush 

 some height from the ground, generally at a little distance 



