on the Beed Warbler.



201



The Reed Warblers are later in arriving in their breeding

quarters than the fussy little chattering Sedge Warblers, and in the

first week in June are at the height of their singing.


Mr. William Farren writes: — “ Retiring as all the Acro-

cephali undoubtedly are, their wonderful industry in song suggests

that the skulking is not so much for concealment as because their

livelihood is so closely connected with the insects and small aquatic

creatures that abound on the stems of the plants. But when

singing they frequently leave the cover for more exposed positions ;

the Reed Warbler may be seen perched on a high reed, and some¬

times it sings as it flits from one reed-bed to another.”


Although Stevenson has written of the melodious notes of

the Reed Warbler, there is much in the song, as Mr. Farren has

written, that is harsh and incoherent, but the Reed Warbler’s notes

are less grating than those of the Sedge Warbler.


Naumann described it as resembling the syllables tiri, tiri,

tiri, tier, tier, tier, zack, ziick, zack, zack, zerr, zerr, zerr, tiri, tiri,

scherk, scherk, scherk, tret, tret, tret. These Acrocephali are great

mimics, especially the Sedge Warbler and the Marsh Warbler.


The subject of these notes is not so generally distributed in

England as the Sedge Warbler, and is more numerous on the

Eastern side than the Western.


Over the greater part of Europe this bird is common as a

breeding species. In Switzerland it is common, breeding even at

an altitude of 4,000 feet. As far as is known its range in its African

winter quarters is extensive, occurring as far south as Rhodesia,

the Orange River Colony, and even Cape Colony.



CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, &c.


ANOTHER ARRIVAL OF HUMMING BIRDS.


On the 25th of March the Editor heard that a Member of the Society had

just returned from S. America with 14 live Humming Birds in show condition,

comprising three varieties, of which one is exceedingly small. We hope to be

able to publish a more detailed account later on.


The three species are Eulampis jugularis (Garnet-throated Carib) ;

Eulampis holosericeus (Green-breasted Carib) and Bellona exilis [which latter

could drown in a thimble !]



