346 STRANGE DWELLINGS. 



about the end of May and the beginning of June it may be 

 observed with the greatest ease.' 



Still, although the bird be common, and although it is bold 

 enough to admit of approach, it is not generally familiar, simply 

 because none but professed naturahsts are likely to look for it 

 in the spots which it frequents. Tlie Reed Warbler loves a large 

 patch of marshy land almost wholly covered with stagnant 

 water, and full of the reeds among which its home is made. 

 Such a place is not agreeable to the pedestrian, for although an 

 hour spent in wading through water knee-deep is no difficult or 

 even unpleasant task, yet no one likes to meet also with mud of 

 various and unknown depths, as is the case in the great reed 

 swamps where the birds most love to build. Even the song of 

 the Reed Warbler does not attract attention. Though musical 

 in tone, it is very feeble in power and monotonous in character, 

 consisting of several hurried notes in a low warble, which can 

 only be heard at a little distance. 



The nest of this bird is supported between three or four 

 reeds, and is remarkably deep in proportion to its width. The 

 object of this depth is evident. To bend as a reed before the 

 wind is a proverbial saying, and any one who has seen a large 

 mass of reeds on a stormy day must have been impressed with 

 their graceful curves. As the blasts of the wind pass over 

 them, they bend in successive waves like the billows of the sea, 

 and are sometimes bowed so low that their tips nearly reach 

 the water. 



A nest, therefore, which rests on such pliant supports must 

 be thrown out of its perpendicular by every breath of wind, 

 and unless it were very deep the eggs would be flung out. The 

 great depth, however, of the nest counteracts the deflection of 

 the reeds ; and, however fiercely the storm may rage, the Reed 

 Warbler sits securely in her nest, even chough it be sometimes 

 nearly bowed to the surface of the water. The materials of the 

 nest are generally taken from the immediate neighbourhood, the 

 body of the nest being composed of broken rushes and moss 

 bound together with reed leaves, and the lining made almost 

 wholly of cows' hair. 



