968 The Zoologist— November, 1867. 



ten years previously. The retiring habits of this class of birds, their 

 sombre plumage, and their general resemblance in size as well as in 

 colour, will easily account fur the confusion which exists respecting 

 them. 



Reed and Sedge Warblers. — The reed warbler may be distinguished 

 from the sedge warbler by its being a longer and slimmer bird, by the 

 uniform colour of the head. In the sedge warbler the most conspicuous 

 characters are a white line over the eye, a darker back, and dark centre 

 to wing-feathers with lighter margins. In the reed warbler the feathers 

 are more uniform in colour. The two species differ also iu their note 

 and flight. The note of the reed warbler, as distinguished from that 

 of the sedge warbler, may perhaps be best described as more of a song 

 and less of a chatter, clearer, less harsh, and more sustained. The 

 sedge warbler is a great imitator ; the reed warbler is more original. 

 The nests and eggs of the two species differ considerably. The 

 nest of the sedge warbler is placed on the ground, formed of dry 

 grass and lined with hair. The eggs are yellowish brown. The 

 nest of the reed warbler is supported on reed-stems formed of 

 the seed-branches of the reed and long grass, coiled horizontally 

 round with a little wool, including the upright reeds in the sub- 

 stance. The eggs are greenish white with dark green and brown 

 freckles. 



The specific characters of S. aquatica have lately been pointed out 

 in a note recording the occurrence of this species for the second 

 time (so far as is known) in England (S. S. 946). 



Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.— The wood 

 warbler, willow warbler and chiffchaff all closely resemble each other, 

 and by one not used to notice the distinctive characters of birds may 

 be easily confounded. The chiifchaff, however, may be known by its 

 smaller size and darker colour, aud by the colour of its legs, which are 

 dark brown. The legs of the willow warbler are pale flesh-colour, 

 while the wood. warbler is a brighter green above, and a purer white 

 beneath, the yellow line over the eye more distinct, the tail shorter and 

 the wings longer in proportion. In addition the song of each differs 

 sufficiently to afford when at a distance a good means of distinction. 

 In Bennett's edition of White's ' Selborne' may be found a note, in 

 which the editor points out that the relative length of the second and 

 third quill-feathers may be considered a constant distinguishing 

 character in these three species. 



