THE REED WARBLER. 345 



reeds and sedges will always induce it to recommence its little 

 song. 



A REMARKABLY beautiful nest is built by one of the British 

 birds, but is not often found, on account of the localities where 

 it is placed. 



The architect of this nest is the Reed Warbler {Salicaria [or 

 Currucd\ arundinaced). It is a pretty little bird, bright brown 

 above, yellow-brown below. In some respects it resembles the 

 sedge warbler, but does not possess the remarkable wedge- 

 shaped tail of that bird. R. Mudie, in his History of British 

 Birds, offers the following suggestion respecting this difference of 

 form. When treating of the sedge warbler, he remarks that the 

 slender head, pointed bill, and wedged-shaped tail are useful to 

 the bird by enabling it to gHde between the tall aquatic plants 

 among which it resides and finds its food. Of the Reed War- 

 bler he writes as follows : — 



* That the bird is not adapted for so many situations as the 

 sedge bird, might be inferred from the different form of the tail, 

 which is more produced and not wedge-shaped, so that while it 

 answers better as a balance on the bending reeds or other 

 flexible aquatic plants, it would not be so convenient among the 

 unyielding sprays of a hedge or brake. The bird rarely, if ever, 

 perches upon the tops of reeds, even on its first arrival, and 

 when the song of invitation to a mate is given, its place is on a 

 leaf or a leaning step, though upon an emergency it can cling 

 to an upright one, the stiff feathers of the tail acting as a sort 

 of prop. 



' It is not easily raised, and remains but a very short time 

 upon the wing, but it is by no means timid on its perch, upon 

 which, if it be very flexible, it sits with its wings not quite 

 closed, but recovered, so as to have a little hold on the air, and 

 thereby either prevent its fall or be ready when a gust comes, to 

 bear it to a more secure footing. Its food is found wholly over 

 the stagnant waters. The Reed Warbler does not come until the 

 reeds- are considerably advanced, and it departs before they are 

 cut; so that it dwells in peace, and especially in the mornings 



