70 OUR MIGRANT BIRDS 



and is always most wary and difficult to approach. 

 Like the resident Common Redshank it sometimes 

 perches on trees. Though seeking food by means of 

 wading it often voluntarily swims hi an able manner. 



Food. Insects, beetles, small molluscs, &c. 



Nidification. Breeds in Northern Europe and Asia. 



REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus streperus). 



April to September. Local, but abundant enough 

 in suitable places hi the south and south-eastern parts, 

 rarer towards the north. Practically unknown in 

 Scotland and Ireland. 



Haunts. Reed-grown margins of rivers, lakes, ponds, 

 &c. 



Plumage. White streak over eye ill-defined ; upper 

 parts reddish brown ; breast and flanks reddish buff ; 

 under parts pale buff. Rump and upper tail-coverts 

 brown, suffused with chestnut ; under tail-coverts buff, 

 tinged with red. Bill horn-brown above and yellowish 

 below. Legs slaty brown. Length 5^ in. Female 

 similar, but less rufous. Young more tawny on the 

 under parts. 



Language. Very loquacious, its notes reminding one of 

 the incessant chiding chattering of the Sedge Warbler ; 

 it is poor music. When alarmed, even if by night, it at 

 once bursts into a torrent of harsh, scolding notes. It is 

 somewhat of a mimic. 



Habits. Very restless, and for ever climbing about the 

 reed stems of its home. Not easy to observe, as, 

 when alarmed, it immediately drops down into thick 

 cover. 



Food. Insects and their larvae, especially young 



