204 



INSESSORES. SALICARIA. REED-WREN 



Nest, &c. 



Food. 



General 

 descrip- 

 tion. 



the Reed- Wren to the north of Nottinghamshire. It is com- 

 mon in several of the southern and eastern counties, but is 

 confined to such localities as afford proper covert, viz. wet 

 ditches and fens, the margins of rivers and pools, that are 

 overgrown by reeds and tall aquatic plants *. In these si- 

 tuations it passes the period of its residence with us, extend- 

 ing from the latter part of April to the beginning of Septem- 

 ber. Its habits are very similar to those of the Sedge- 

 Warbler, and it is equally desirous of concealment from ob- 

 servation ; but the uniform tinge of its superior plumage, and 

 the want of the well-defined eye-streak, are always sufficient 

 distinction between the two species. The bill also is longer, 

 and considerably dilated at the base. 



It forms its nest of the seed-tops of reeds and long grass, 

 lined with the finer parts of the first-named materials, and sus- 

 pends it between a few adjoining stems. It is made so deep 

 as entirely to conceal the bird when sitting, an instance of 

 provident instinct to prevent the eggs from being thrown out 

 when the supporting reeds are bowed by the force of the 

 wind. 



MONTAGU observes, that he has seen this bird sitting on 

 her nest, when the wind blew hard, and that every gust forced 

 it almost to the surface of the water. It lays four or five 

 eggs, of a greenish-white, blotched and spotted with brown 

 and oil-green. 



Aquatic flies and their larvae form the food of this species. 



In Holland it is very abundant. It is also found in par- 

 ticular districts of France and Germany ; but is rare in the 

 south of Europe. 



PLATE 45 * *. Fig. 3. Natural size. 



Bill rather long, strait, and dilated at the base ; pale-brown. 

 Gape having two or three strong bristles on each side. 



* In Kent, I have met with it plentifully on a small reedy pond at The 

 Mote, near Igtham. Its song is varied and pleasing, with fewer of the 

 harsh notes that prevail in that of the Sedge- Warbler, and is delivered in 

 the same hurried manner. 



