378 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
been recorded as a British bird, but is common on the lower 
Volga. 
The most striking difference—at least in the eyes, or rather 
in the ears, of a field ornithologist—is, however, to be found 
in the song of the two species. I had long wished to make 
the personal acquaintance of the Marsh Warbler, and having 
a morning at my disposal in Hanover, where both species 
are common in certain localities, I placed myself under the 
guidance of my friend Herr Post-Director Pralle, who under- 
took to introduce me to both species. Half an hour's walk 
from the city brought us to the banks of a river near Herren- 
hausen, where we found extensive reed-beds on both sides. 
We laid ourselves down on the grass and listened to the song 
of the Reed Warblers, which were hidden in the reeds and 
were singing lustily. The song is scarcely so loud as that of 
the Sedge Warbler, but nearly as harsh, and is seldom if ever 
varied by the more melodious flute-like tones which the Sedge 
Warbler introduces when in full song. 
After having listened to the Reed Warbler until its song 
was thoroughly impressed upon our memories, we walked 
about a mile along the banks of the river until we came to 
a locality where willows took the place of reeds. We had 
no sooner arrived than we had an excellent opportunity of 
listening to the Marsh Warbler. The bird was singing 
brilliantly, perched in full view on the top of a willow bush. 
It is an incomparably finer singer than its near ally. It sings 
quite as loud, but its voice is much more melodious, and far 
more varied. Sometimes one might imagine that one was 
listening to the song of a rich-voiced Reed Warbler; but more 
frequently the melody reminded one of the songs of the Swallow, 
the Lark, or the melodious Willow Warbler, and often we 
came to the conclusion that the bird had taken lessons from 
a Nightingale or a Blue-throat. My friend maintained that 
the song was finer than that of the Nightingale. It was not 
nearly so loud, but almost as rich, and much more varied. 
The Marsh Warbler was common for some miles, and we 
listened with great pleasure to perhaps a score individuals, 
which generally allowed themseyes to be seen, though occa- 
sionally they remained concealed in the trees; and after 
spending some hours amongst them, and afterwards returning 
