34 BRITISH BIRDS 



The marsh-warbler lacks this rufous tinge. Under-parts of 

 both species are greyish or rufous-buff", except the throat and 

 belly which are white. Wing quills and tail greyish-brown 

 with olive-brown margins. Fledglings more rufous. 



Nest. The reed-warbler's nest is usually attached to the 

 stems of reeds over water, in which it differs from the marsh- 

 warbler's, but, like the latter, may also be found in rank vege- 

 tation, osiers and other trees, even at some distance from water. 

 The nest is deep. Material various : grasses, reed-flowers, wool, 

 &c., lined with the same or feathers and hair. The marsh- 

 warbler's nest, placed usually among mixed herbage, meadow- 

 sweet, willow-herb, willows, osiers, and the like, is not nearly so 

 deep as the reed-warbler's, or compact. The " main attachment 

 is to two or three, generally two, large stems ; that part of the 

 upper rim of the nest which passes round these stems is stretched 

 and separated from the main rim of the nest. The loops thus 

 formed have been most aptly described by Mr. Warde Fowler as 

 ' basket-handles ' " (W. Farren). Material : green stems and the 

 like with a little moss, wool, &c., lined with hair and rootlets. 



Eggs. Those of the reed-warbler number usually 4-5 and 

 are greenish-white, thickly blotched, and marbled with olive- 

 brown and ashy-grey, with occasional blackish spots. Occa- 

 sionally white. The marsh-warbler's eggs usually 4-5 have 

 " a bluish or greenish-white ground, boldly blotched with olive 

 and violet-grey, and numerous fine olive specks, as well as a 

 few blackish markings" (Jourdain). Av. size, practically the 

 same for both species : reed-warbler -71 X *53 in. ; marsh-warbler 

 *74 x '53 in. The reed- warbler begins laying in May-June ; the 

 marsh-warbler in June. One brood is usual. 



62. Marsh - warbler [Acrocephalus palustris (Bechstein)]. 

 Summer visitor to south and mid England. Local, but may be 

 more plentiful than thought. 



Bird. Length 5J in. See Reed-warbler (No. 61). 

 Nest. See Reed-warbler (No. 61). 

 Eggs. See Reed-warbler (No. 61). 



63. Sedge- warbler [Acrocephalus schwnob&nus (Linnaeus) ; 

 Acrocephalus phragmitis (Bechstein)]. Summer visitor. Rare 

 in north Scotland. Bird of passage. 



Bird (Fig. 37). Length 5 in. Recognised by the conspicuous 

 buff eye-stripe, black stripes on the russet head and back, and 

 the markedly rufous or rust-brown rump. Under-parts whitish 

 with buff on neck and forebreast, brownish on flanks. Wings 

 and tail dark brown with paler brown edgings. 



Nest. Place : in mixed herbage, bushes, hedges, usually near 

 water or marshy ground. Material : grasses, moss, &c., lined 

 usually with hair, also with feathers and other soft material. 



