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A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



confined to body-feathers, and in no case have wing-feathers or 

 wing-coverts been found moulting, but in two examples new tail- 

 feathers were growing. 



Nestling. (Not examined.) 



A ORIENTALIS. 



Juvenile and first winter. As described under A. a. arun- 

 dinaceus. 



Measurements and structure. Wing shorter than in A. a. 

 arundinaceus, 4th primary equal to or longer than 2nd, never 

 shorter than 2nd as in A. a. arundinaceus. <$ wing 80-92 mm., tail 

 66-77, tarsus 27-30, bill from skull 21-24 (12 measured). $ wing 

 77-84. Primaries : 1st minute, half to three-quarter as long as 

 primary -coverts, 3rd longest, 2nd 1-4 mm. shorter, 4th occasionally 

 equal to 3rd, but usually 1-2 mm. shorter, usually longer than 2nd, 

 but occasionally equal, never shorter, 5th 2-5 shorter, 6th 5-8 shorter. 

 Rest of structure as in A. a. arundinaceus. 



Soft parts. As in A. a. arundinaceus, but legs and feet lead- 

 grey or bluish -grey. 



BREEDING-HABITS. Haunts reed-beds like western race. Nest. 

 Very similar to that of Great Reed-Warbler, built around two or 

 three reed-stems, growing in water. Eggs. 4-5, rarely 6 ; also 

 similar but smaller on average, somewhat dingier in colouring, with 



