290 SYLVIADA. 
thick and strong. The Sedge Warbler is a summer 
visitor to this country, arriving in April and leaving again 
in September; but on one occasion a single specimen was 
observed near High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire in 
winter. Immediately on its arrival it takes to thick cover 
by the waterside, and is much more frequently heard than 
seen; though it may occasionally be observed flitting on 
the uppermost twigs of the willows it inhabits, giving 
rapid utterance to a succession of notes as it flies from one 
branch to another. White of Selborne appears to have 
first made Pennant acquainted with this species, and with 
his usual acuteness detailed the habits of the bird, par- 
ticularly remarking its power of imitating the notes of 
other birds, and its singing at night. The observations 
of others in various localities have confirmed the accu- 
racy of his remarks; and the Sedge Warbler, in the 
situations it frequents, may be heard throughout the day 
and frequently during a summer night, imitating the notes 
of various birds in a somewhat confused and hurried man- 
ner; and should he desist for a few minutes rest, it is 
only necessary to throw a stone or a clod of dirt among 
the bushes, and he will immediately commence a series of 
repetitions, but seldom quits his covered retreat. 
Worms, slugs, and various aquatic insects are the food 
of this bird. 
The nest of the Sedge Warbler has frequently been con- 
founded with that of the Reed Warbler; but it is usually 
placed much nearer the ground, and seldom depends on 
reeds for its support. It is frequently placed at or near 
the bottom of a patch of thick coarse herbage. One nest 
now before me is composed externally of moss at the 
bottom; the sides are of grass and coarse bents; the inside 
rather deep, and thickly lined with hairs. The eggs are 
