SAVl's WARBLER. 89 



were formerly noted localities for this species, 

 then regarded as a regular summer migrant ; 

 but extensive drainage and increased cultivation 

 of waste land has apparently destroyed the only 

 breeding haunt which had any attraction for it, 

 and it can now be only considered a rare 

 summer visitant. I have once, and only once, 

 seen this species alive in England. This was 

 in a large reed-bed close to the river, near I ken, 

 in Suffolk, in the month of September, 1874. 

 The bird first attracted my attention by the 

 very rufous colour of the dorsal plumage, and as 

 I succeeded in obtaining a near view of it, I feel 

 confident that I was not mistaken in the species. 

 The nest and eggs of this bird are reported to 

 have been taken in Norfolk, Cambridge, Hun- 

 tingdon, Essex, Kent, and once in Devonshire.' 

 In general appearance at a distance it is not un- 

 like the Reed Warbler, but on closer inspection 

 will be found to have the upper portions of 

 the plumage and the tail more rufous, like the 



1 "Ibis," 1865, p. 23. 



