ACROCEPHALUS STREPERUS. 57 



34. Acrocephalus turdoides (Meyer). The Great Reed- 



Warbler. 



Spanish. Carrizalero ; from " carrizo," reed-grass (Arundo 

 pJiragmites). 



This large species, though occurring in Morocco, is not 

 included in Favier's list. 



They are exceedingly plentiful in Andalucia, arriving in April, 

 and chiefly frequenting tall reed-beds : they are very noisy, and, like 

 other aquatic Warblers, conceal themselves at the slightest alarm. 

 However, by ensconcing one's self and remaining quiet among 

 the rushes, they are easily obtained, as they soon come out and 

 sit singing and chattering on the top of some tall reed. They 

 nest late in May, and build a nest interwoven with and suspended 

 between reeds, resembling that of the Reed- Warbler (Acro- 

 cephalus streperus), only of course much larger. I have seen 

 them building during the first fortnight in May, picking and 

 carrying away the down of the " bulrush " (Typha latifolia) to 

 use in constructing their nests. 



Inside of mouth orange-yellow. Upper parts and tail olive-brown, 

 below pale buff ; centre of belly whitish ; tail graduated and long ; legs 

 pale brown. Length 8 inches. 



35. Acrocephalus streperus (Vieillot). The Reed- Warbler. 



Not mentioned by Favier as occurring in Morocco ; nor doe 

 Mr. Drake appear to have observed any in that country. 



On the Spanish side they appear in spring. The exact date of 

 arrival I could not ascertain ; but it is somewhere about the end 

 of March. I never met with the Reed- Warbler during the winter 

 months ; but in the marshes at Casas Viejas, about the first 

 week in May, we found them breeding in abundance. They 

 keep among the sallow-bushes, but build their beautiful nests 

 suspended on the dead stems of the Epilobium Jiirsutum or 

 willow-herb, which grows in luxuriant tufts in the swampy 



