THE REED WARBLER 
Acrocephalus streperus 
"General plumage a greyish brown; a warmer brown on 
the wings, and brighter brown on rump; under parts a 
delicate white, shading into buff on the flanks and under tail 
coverts ; a faint light stripe above eye; legs and beak, brown ; 
eyes, hazel brown. Length, 5} inches. 
THE song of any bird is one of the most certain 
methods, when really known, of identification. In 
the case of Warblers and’ other small birds that flit 
about rapidly, and always half-sheltered by vegeta- 
tion, it is often exceedingly difficult to get a near 
and clear view, and very hard to know exactly to 
what species it belongs. This is particularly the 
case with the Reed and the Sedge Warblers; they 
stick so close to their beloved shelter that you 
rarely get a complete view of them, but if you 
will wait quietly and patiently you are sure to 
hear them burst out into a shorter or longer song 
—then is your chance—and if you have the very 
slightest sense of music, you will catch the notes 
peculiar to that bird and that bird alone. The 
Reed Warbler’s song is very peculiar ; it isa running 
trill of notes given out exceedingly quickly, and in 
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