CHAPTER XXIX. 



FEATHERED BRANCH-BUILDERS— (CONCLUDED.) 



The Sedge-Wabuler — Its nest and loquacity — The Reed-Warbler — Use of its 

 peculiar tail — Localities haunted by the bird — Song of the Reed-Warbler — Its 

 deep and beautifully balanced nest — Colour of the eggs — The Indigo Bird— The 

 Capociek— Familiarity of the bird — Le Taillanf s experiments— How the nest 

 is made — Division of labour — Lover's quarrels — Structure of the nest — Hum- 

 ming-birds again — The Fiert Topaz — Its nocturnal habits — Appearance of the 

 nest — Its shape and the materials of which it is made— The Hermit Humming- 

 Birds and their nests— The Rubt-throated Humming Bird — Variable dimen- 

 sions of the nest — Concealment — Mr. Webber and his discoveries — Variable 

 form and positions of the nest — Materials of which it is made — Its deceptive 

 exterior — Feeding of the young — The Vervain Humming Bird — How the 

 nest assumes its shape — The Red-backed Shrike — Use of the Shrike in fal- 

 coniy — Their singular mode of feeding — Impaled prey — Conspicuous characte.- 

 of the nest — Popular ideas concerning the Red-backed Shrike — Structure of the 

 nest — The Hedge Sparrow — Its proper title — Carelessness about its nest — 

 Foes of the Hedge Sparrow — Its fecundity. 



Another bird that loves to build near water is the pretty little 

 Sedge Warblee {Salicaria phragmitis). 



The nest of this bird is placed at a very low elevation, usually 

 within a foot or so from the ground, and raised upon rushes, 

 reeds, or other coarse herbage, which is found abundantly in such 

 places. There is more material in the nest than might be sup- 

 posed from the size of the bird and the slender stems by which 

 it is supported. Viewed from the exterior, it seems to have the 

 ordinary cup-shaped form which is so prevalent among small 

 birds, but looked at from above, the apparent depth is seen to be 

 owing to the mass of material, the hollow being singularly 

 small and shallow. It is a weU-made nest, the general frame- 

 work being formed of leaves of grass-blades, while strength, 

 warmth, and density are attained by the quantity of wool and 

 hair which are woven into the fabric. 



The Sedge Warbler is well known for its loquacity, and its 

 ceaseless chatter. Should it be silent, a stone flung among the 



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