THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 



the Reed Warbler in its habits and economy. It is 

 perhaps not quite so retiring, but resents scrutiny, and 

 hides away amongst the cover with little provocation. 

 It sings with equal persistency, both by day and by night, 

 its voice being a mixture of pleasant warbling and harsh, 

 discordant chatter. Most birds cease their song if dis- 

 turbed ; the Sedge Warbler may usually be induced to 

 break into music by throwing a stone into the cover. 

 Many pairs frequent one locality, not from any social 

 tendency, perhaps, but owing to the suitability of the 

 situation. Shortly after arrival the birds are somewhat 

 restless, and may often be seen in the trees and hedges ; 

 pairing may have something to do with this, for as the 

 breeding season comes on more secretive habits are 

 developed. During its stay with us the Sedge Warbler 

 seldom takes any extended flights, confining itself chiefly 

 to the cover, where it is for ever in motion, slipping about 

 amongst the vegetation, appearing fitfully here and there, 

 and from time to time uttering a scolding churr or a string 

 of chattering cries. It feeds chiefly upon insects and larvae 

 and small worms, to which are added the smaller fruits. 

 The nest is made in May or early June ; and in the matter 

 of its family arrangements the Sedge Warbler is by no 

 means confined to the waterside, neither does it suspend 

 its cradle from reeds or twigs. It is usually placed amongst 

 the long matted grass and weeds growing on a bank, or at 

 the foot of an osier or other bush, frequently in the 

 branches of a willow, or in a dense hedge or thicket of 

 brambles, briars, nettles, and so forth. It is a small, 

 cup-shaped structure, loosely made of dry grass, moss, 

 and withered leaves of aquatic plants, lined with horse- 

 hair, a little down, or even a few feathers. One I recently 

 saw from the banks of the Brent near Stonebridge had 

 a fair quantity of the latter. The five or six eggs are 

 greyish white, more or less densely freckled with yellowish 

 brown, and sparingly streaked (sometimes not at all) 

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