MARSH WARBLER. 17 



Haunts. Keed-grown margins of rivers, lakes, ponds, &c., 

 but not necessarily met with in the vicinity of water. 



Plumage. White streak over eye ill-defined ; upper parts 

 reddish brown ; breast and flanks reddish buff ; under parts 

 pale buff. Eump and upper tail-coverts brown, suffused with . 

 chestnut ; under tail-coverts bull', tinged with red. Bill horn- 

 brown above and yellowish below. Legs slaty brown. Length 

 5 in. Female similar, but less rufous. Young more tawny 

 on the under parts. 



Language. Very loquacious, its notes reminding one of the 

 incessant chiding chattering of the Sedge Warbler ; it is poor 

 music. When alarmed, even if at night, it at once bursts 

 into a torrent of harsh, scolding notes. It is somewhat of a 

 mimic. 



Habits. Very restless, and for ever climbing about the reed- 

 stems of its home. Not easy to observe, as, when alarmed, it 

 immediately drops down into thick cover. 



Food. Insects and their larvaa, especially young dragon- 

 flies, spiders, slugs and worms ; also soft fruits and berries. 



Nest. May onwards. Probably two broods. 



Site. Generally supported between reed-stems; also in 

 osier and willow twigs. 



Materials. Dry grass, bents, pieces of reeds, moss, and cob- 

 webs, lined with fine grass and horsehair. A very deep cup. 



Eggs. Five to six. Dull greenish white, freckled and 

 blotched with dark olive and grey. 



MARSH WARBLER (Acrocephalus palustris). 



Migrant ; April to September. Decidedly local and un- 

 common. It breeds in Somersetshire, Gloucestershire, and 

 Oxon, and, no doubt, in other suitable counties. 



Haunts. Usually swampy places and osier beds. 



Plumage. Very similar to last, but differs in being less 

 rufous and greener on upper parts. Wing-feathers tipped and 

 edged with pale buff, under parts yellower, and legs pale brown. 

 Length 5 in. 



Language. Superior to and more melodious than last. It 

 is also a mimic. 



Habits. Resembling the last but not so skulking. 



Food. Similar to last. 



Nest. June. One brood. 



Site. Never overhanging water like last ; in low bushes, 

 meadowsweet, or nettles, near water. 



Materials. Grass, moss, and leaves, lined with horsehair ; 

 cup deep. 



Eggs. Five to seven. Whiter ground-colour than last; 

 spotted and blotched olive-brown and grey. 



