THE GREAT REED WARBLER. 

 (Acrocephalus turdoides.) 



This Reed Warbler lives exclusively in reed beds, 

 and, as it is fairly common, inhabits a large number of 

 such places, so that in the pairing season the whole 

 neighbourhood resounds with its love song, which even 

 overpowers the croaking of the frogs. There are usually 

 large numbers of the birds near together, and all join 

 with one voice in the concert. It goes on from morning 

 till night. Indeed during the most eager time of its 

 wooing it goes on all night. 



The song is sometimes expressed thus : 



Karrey-karrey-karrey 



Ker-ker-ker 



Hedder-hedder 



Duee-duee-duee, etc. 



Where the reeds are thickest it shoots between them, as a 

 weaver's shuttle shoots between the threads. What is 

 still more clever is the way in which it climbs about the 

 straight tall stalks of the reeds. It clasps the reed with 

 its toes and claws, and immediately it seems to be up on the 

 top, then in a moment it slides down again and vanishes 

 among the reeds. And of what use is all this ? This 

 bird is of use in its own way, in places inaccessible to 

 others. It destroys innumerable grubs and insects, 

 which frequent water and boggy land, and does its best 

 to make such places habitable. The food of this Reed 

 Warbler consists principally of insects and their larvse, 

 although in the autumn, like most creatures, instinct 

 teaches it to eat some fruit for health's sake, in the 

 shape of berries, particularly those of the elder. 



The nest of this Reed Warbler is one of the marvels 



