REED-WARBLER 



Acrocephalus streperus 



HE Reed-Warbler is a common summer visitor to the 

 southern counties of England, and breeds in most 

 districts suitable to its habits. North of the H umber, 

 however, it is extremely rare, and it seems doubtful 

 whether it ever breeds in the counties north of that. It 

 has been recorded from Scotland and Ireland, but I 

 can find no authentic record of its ever having bred in 

 either country. 



The Reed-Warbler is an inhabitant of the dense reed-beds and sedges 

 which abound in the fen-country, and on the shallow edges of lakes, ponds, 

 rivers, and ditches. It is also found among the willow-bushes and brushwood 

 in the neighbourhood of water, especially in ornamental grounds where there 

 are numerous ponds. 



The Reed-Warbler arrives somewhat late in the spring, and his well- 

 known song is rarely heard before the first few days of May. In cold, windy 

 weather the birds very seldom sing unless disturbed ; but on a warm, sunny 

 day they sing almost incessantly, and are often heard nearly all night. The 

 Reed-Warbler is a very shy and retiring bird, and is much more often heard 

 than seen ; sometimes, however, it is possible to catch sight of it as it clings 

 to some perpendicular reed, or flies from one patch of reeds to another. 



The song of the Reed- Warbler is rather like that of the Sedge- Warbler ; 

 it is not so loud and harsh, but is somewhat more monotonous, though it 

 possesses some little variety and sweetness. The alarm-note at the nest is a 

 harsh scold, something like ' har-r-r, har-r-r-r} and the call-note is a soft 

 ' choh-cfwh' repeated once or twice. Sometimes a bird will continue to sing 

 almost incessantly for half an hour, and then suddenly cease for an hour or 

 two; but as a rule the Reed-Warbler sings intermittently throughout the day. 

 VOL. iv. o 53 



