154 



KEARTONS' NATURE PICTURES 



sometimes bits of wool, with an inner 

 lining of fine dry grass and hair. When 



YOUNG HEED WAKBLKR. 



only supported by two smooth reed 

 stems I have known a Reed Warbler's 

 nest slip down so much on one side that 

 the chicks within it were in imminent 



danger of being precipitated into the 

 water below. 



The eggs of this species number from 

 four to six of a dull greenish white, or 

 greyish green ground colour, spotted 

 and blotched with darker greyish green 

 and light brown. They are subject to 

 variatiop both in regard to the tint of 

 the ground colour and markings. 



The male helps the female with a will 

 in all her maternal cares, and many a 

 beautiful picture of tender solicitude 

 may be witnessed whilst studying the 

 home-life and habits of these sprightly 

 dwellers upon the banks of sluggish 

 stream and mere. 



The Reed Warbler arrives upon our 

 shores during the latter part of April, 

 and departs again in September for the 

 more congenial climes of Africa, though 

 individuals linger with us occasionally 

 even as late as December. 



