146 TREATISE ON 



SEDGE-WARBLER, 



OR REED-FAUVETTE. 

 SYLVIA SALICARIA; LATHAM. MOTACILLA SALI- 



caria; linn^us. — ^la fauvette de Roseau ; 



BUFFON, 



This bird is of an elegant form, and the co- 

 lours of the plumage are very harmonious and 

 finely blende. Its natural song, though weak, is 

 sweet, and rather varied. At times it will imi- 

 tate the warble of the skylark, then the tmtter of 

 the swallow, and even the chirp of the house- 

 sparrow. It is, therefore, ranked among the Eng- 

 lish mocking-birds. 



Its haunts are fens and swampy places, where 

 bushes, reeds, and sedges grow; and there it 

 builds its nest, which is placed either amongst 

 rushes, or ingeniously fastened to tliree or four 

 reeds ; and in this floating cradle, though rocked 

 by the tempest, the hen securely sits, without fear 

 or dread. The nest is composed of coarse grass 



