344 ' STRANGE DWELLINGS. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



FEA rilERED BRANCH-BUILDERS— [concluded). 



The Sedge- Warbler — Its nest and loquacity— The Reed-Warbler — Use 

 of its peculiar tail — Localities haunted by the bird — Song of the Reed- 

 Warbler — Its deep and beautifully balanced nest — Colour of the eggs — The 

 Indigo Bird —The Capocier — Familiarity of the bird — Le Vaillant's 

 experiments — How the nest is made — Division of labour — Lovers' quarrels — 

 Structure of the nest — Humming-birds again — The Fiery Topaz — Ap- 

 pearance of the nest — Its shape and the materials of which it is made— The 

 Hermit Humming-Birds and their nests— The Ruby-throated Hum- 

 ming Bird — Variable dimensions of the nest — Concealment — Mr. Webber 

 and his discoveries — Variable form and positions of the nest — Materials ot 

 which it is made — Its deceptive exterior — Feeding of the young — The Red- 

 backed Shrike — Use of the Shrike in falconry — Their singular mode of 

 feeding — Impaied prey — Conspicuous character of the nest — Popular ideas 

 concerning the Red-backed Shrike — Structure of the nest. 



Another bird that loves to build near water is the j)retty little 

 Sedge Warbler {Salicaria phragmitis). 



The nest of thisLird is placed at a very low elevation, usually 

 within a foot or so from the ground, and raised upon rushes, 

 reeds, or other coarse herbage, which is found abundantly in such 

 places. There is more material in the nest than might be sup- 

 posed from the size of the bird and the slender stems by which 

 it is supported. Viewed from the exterior, it seems to have the 

 ordinary cup-shaped form which is so prevalent among small 

 birds, but looked at from above, the apparent depth is seen to 

 be owing to the mass of material, the hollow being singularly 

 small and shallow. It is a well-made nest, the general frame- 

 work .being formed of leaves of grass-blades, while strength, 

 warmth, and density are attained by the quantity of wool and 

 hair which are woven into the fabric. 



The Sedge Warbler is well known for its loquacity, and its 

 ceaseless chatter. Should it be silent, a stone flung among the 



