THE MARSH WARBLER. 99 



although he has been careful in the text to 

 describe the colour correctly. 



The tail in palustris is less rounded than in 

 strepera; the outer tail-feather in the former 

 being not so short as in the latter. 



The measurements of the two species, taken 

 from skins, are as follows : — 



Wing from 

 Length. Bill. carpus. Tarsus. 



S. strepera . 5*3 in. . 0*5^ . 27 . o"8 

 S. palustris. 5'5in. . 0*5 . 2-5 . o"9 



The nests and eggs differ as much as do the 

 birds themselves. 



The nest of palustris is much neater and 

 more compact, and, as regards depth, not more 

 than half the size of that of strepera. The 

 eggs of both are subject to variation ; but, as a 

 rule, it may be said that in those oi palustris the 

 white ground colour has little if any of the 

 greenish or brownish tinge with which those of 

 strepera are invariably suffused. 



I have seen two nests in the collection of Mr. 

 Bond, one containing three, and the other two 



