16 WOOD WARBLER REED WARBLER. 



acrobatic actions. Flight undulating. It sings persistently 

 from April to July. It rarely alights on the ground, but when 

 it does it hops much like a Robin. 



Food. Insects chiefly ; soft fruits in summer. 



Nest. May onwards. Often two broods. 



Site. On or very near the ground among thick grass, &c., 

 or under bush or hedge. 



Materials. Dry grass, dead leaves, and moss, lined with 

 wool, rootlets, hair, and feathers. Nest cave-shaped. 



Eggs. Five to eight. White, spotted and speckled with 

 reddish sienna-brown, much like some of the Tits' eggs. 



WOOD WARBLER on WOOD WREN 



(Phylloscopus sibilatrix). 



Migrant ; April to September. Generally distributed ; local 

 in Scotland, rare in Ireland. 



Haunts. As last, but essentially a bird of the woods. 



Observation. Distinguished from its congeners by its larger 

 size, brighter appearance, and rather longer wings. 



Plumage. Superciliary streak over eyes bright yellow. Chin, 

 throat, and breast white, suffused with yellow; upper parts 

 yellowish green ; wings greyish brown, edged with yellowish 

 and tipped with white. Belly white. Rump and thighs yellow. 

 Bill and legs brown. Length 5J in. Female similar. Young, 

 yellower than adults. 



Language. Song, clear and sweet, beginning slowly, then 

 becoming faster, and ending in a tremulous, sibilous note, thus 

 " twit-twit-twit-tit-tit-tit-ti-ti-ti-i-i-i." Call-note, " tee-er." 

 Alarm-note, "pi-o." 



Habits. Very similar to last two. Very restless and active 

 in its movements. Specially fond of beech and oak trees. 



Food. Insects and their larvae. Small soft fruits. 



Nest. May. Probably one brood only. 



Site. On or very near the ground, well concealed by growing 

 herbage, and nearly always in a wood, copse, or the like. 



Materials. Dead leaves, grass, and moss, lined with finer 

 grass and horsehair. Note. Feathers never used as 'a lining, 

 like the last two. Nest cave-shaped. 



Eggs. Five to seven. White, well spotted and speckled 

 with dark brown and purplish grey. Often zoned. 



REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus streperus). 



Migrant ; April to September. Local, but abundant enough 

 in suitable places in the South and south-eastern parts, rarer 

 towards the North. Practically unknown in Scotland and 

 Ireland. 



