100 BIRDS OP SOMERSETSHIRE. 



for embankments and ballast ; in the neighbourhood 

 of Bath also it is found near the river.* 



The Reed Warbler is a migratory species, arriving 

 in April, and departing again in September. It is 

 very similar to the Sedge Warbler in its general 

 habits as well as the localities it frequents, so much 

 so that Yarrell says wherever the one species is 

 found the other is almost certain to be within a 

 short distance : I have not, however, found that to 

 be the case here. 



The nest is generally placed amongst the reeds, 

 and is suspended by being fixed to the stems of two 

 or three of them : a few of the outer blades of grass 

 are twined round the reeds in such a manner as to 

 form a perfect support for the nest: it is usually 

 over the water at a height of about two feet, very 

 deep for its width, this precaution being taken to 

 prevent the eggs rolling out when the reeds are 

 swayed by the wind. " The materials used are fine 

 dead grasses, mixed with a little wool, which is used 

 mostly to finish oif the top of the nest, the whole 

 being woven together very compactly. The bottom 

 of the nest extends downwards to a considerable 

 depth, giving the whole an oblong form."t The 

 nest, however, is not always placed in reeds or near 

 the water, but occasionally amongst shrubs, such as 



* ' Zoologist' for 1864, p. 9109. 

 | Id., 1865, p. 9838. 



