9.1 



THE REED-WARBLER. 



AcrocepJialus streperus (Vieill.). 



The Reed-Warbler is one of those species which is very seldom 

 observed on migration, and as a rule it is not until it has 

 arrived in its breeding-haunts that its presence is noted. 



As its distribution in these islands depends entirely on the 

 suitability o£ the various counties to its needs, it is always a 

 most difficult task to trace its manner of arrival and dispersal, 

 and as it does not appear to be much attracted by the Lights, 

 there are few solid facts to go upon. 



From the records of our inland observers it would seem 

 that it arrived mainly from the south-east, and landed along 

 the whole of the south coast as well as on the lower half of 

 the eastern coast, from Suifolk to Devon. 



The birds arriving in the west seem to have worked north 

 through Somerset into South Wales, and thence as far as 

 Cheshire. 



The east coast birds spread north and north-west into 

 Norfolk, Cambridge, Lincoln, and Yorkshire, while those 

 arriving in Sussex and Hants presumably moved northwards 

 into the midland counties. 



The first immigration seems to have arrived along the 

 coast from Essex to Devon between the 13th and 17th of 

 April. The birds do not seem to have moved very far^ but 

 to have settled down in suitable localities near their points of 

 arrival. 



A second immigration apparently arrived in Sussex and 

 Hants on May the 8th, and possibly a third visited the 

 former county on May the 15th. 



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