2C8 CASSELL'S Hook of birds. 



of subsistence, and they also occasionally eat berries ; worms they utterly reject. Such as inhabit 

 northern climates migrate at the approach of winter. The purse-like nest built by these birds is 

 hung from a reed or twig close to the water's edge, and most artistically constructed ; its bottom 

 being heavy, the sides long, and the top turned inwards, so as to prevent the young from falling 

 out, should the unsteady little structure be exposed to a violent wind. It is a remarkable fact that 

 the Marsh Warblers appear to be fully aware that they may occasionally expect an unusual rise of 

 water in the lake or stream near which they live, and always anticipate the danger that from this 

 cause might accrue to the little family, by suspending the nest at a proportionate height from the 

 ground. The eggs are hatched by both' parents, and the young tended and fed long after they are 

 fully fledged. 



The REED WARBLERS {Acroccphalus) constitute a group possessing most of the charac- 

 teristics that distinguish this family. In these birds the beak is almost straight, or very slightly 

 curved at its extremity ; the wings are of moderate size, the third and fourth quills exceeding the 

 rest in length ; the exterior tail-feathers are somewhat shortened, and the foot unusually powerful. 

 The compact and unspotted plumage is usually olive green on the upper portion of the body, and 

 reddish or yellowish white beneath. 



THE TRUE REED WARBLER. 



The True Reed Warbler {Acroccphalus turdoides) is about eight inches long and eleven broad ; 

 the wing measures three inches and a half, and the tail four inches and a quarter. This species is 

 yellowish grey on the mantle, and reddish white on the under side, shaded with grey upon the 

 throat. The female is somewhat smaller and paler than her mate. The Reed Warblers inhabit 

 Europe, from South Scandinavia to Greece and Spain ; in the extreme south and in Northern Africa 

 they are replaced by nearly allied species. Everywhere they frequent such marshy localities as are 

 overgrown with reeds, and are never seen in mountainous regions or woodland districts, or even upon 

 the trees that grow near their favourite haunts. The migratory season commences in September ; but 

 during their wanderings, which often extend as far as Central Africa, they pass direct from one 

 piece of water to another, and never turn aside in their course to linger in any but marshy or well- 

 watered places. Shortly after the return of these birds, at the end of April or beginning of May, 

 their loud resonant voices are to be heard not only from sunrise to sunset, but frequently throughout 

 the night. The song is a strange combination of a great variety of harsh quavering notes, more 

 nearly resembling the croaking of the frogs whose domain they share than the notes of any of the 

 feathered creation. While singing the males usually perch upon a reed or twig, with drooping wing, 

 outspread tail, inflated throat, and open beak, and go through their noisy performance with an 

 energetic desire to rival every bird around them ; such is the evident satisfaction they exhibit at the 

 result of their efforts, as to make the listener overlook the want of vocal talent, in his amusement at 

 the conceit of the self-complacent songsters. The nests are commenced about June, and are built 

 near together, suspended firmly from the reeds that overhang the surface of the pond or stream, some 

 four or five being drawn firmly together to make a safe support. 



Like other Marsh Warblers, they display wonderful instinct in the situation they select, and 

 invariably build at such a height as is secure from any unusual rising of the water ; indeed, it has 

 been repeatedly observed that in certain years the nests of the Reed AVarblers were constructed at an 

 unusual distance from the ground, and this precaution has always been explained later in the season 

 by the fall of extraordinary heavy rain, that would inevitably have swept away'the little structures had 

 they been placed in the situation ordinarily selected. The nest itself is very long in shape, with the 



