Rep Wren. PASSERES. SYLVIA. 171 
Reed-Wren.—Sylvia arundinacea, Lath. 
PLATE 45**, Fig, 3. 
Sylvia arundinacea, Lath. Ind. Ornith. v. 2. p. 510. sp. 12. 
Motacilla arundinacea, Gmel. Syst. 1. p. 992. sp. 167. 
Curruca arundinacea, Briss. Orn. v. 5. p. 378. 5. 
Passer arundinaceus, minor, Raii, Syn. p. 47.—Will. p. 97. 
Fauvette de Roseaux, Buff: Ois. v. 5. p. 142. 
Bec-fin de Roseaux, ou Efarvette, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. v. 1. p. 191. 
Rhorsanger, Meyer, Tasschenb. v. 1. p. 235.—Id. Vig. Deut. p. 2. Heft. 
p- 23. 
Het Karrakietje, Sepp. Nederl. Vog. v. 2. t. p. 101. 
Lesser Reed Sparrow, Will. (Ang). p. 144. 
Reed-Wren, Lath. Syn. Supp. sp. 184.—Mont. Ornith. Dict.—Lewin’s Br. 
Birds, 3. t. 114. 
On reference to notes made during excursions in different Periodical 
parts of England, I do not find that I have ever observed ea 
the reed wren to the north of Nottinghamshire. It is com- 
mon in several of the southern and eastern counties, but is 
confined to such localities as afford proper covert, viz. wet Haunts. 
ditches and fens, the margins of rivers and pools, that are 
overgrown by reeds and tall aquatic plants. In these si- 
tuations it passes the period of its residence with us, extend- 
ing from the latter part of April to the beginning of Septem- 
ber. Its habits are very similar to those of the sedge warbler, 
and it is equally desirous of concealment from observation ; 
but the uniform tinge of its superior plumage, and the want 
of the well-defined eye-streak, are always sufficient distinction 
between the two species. ‘The bill also is longer, and consi- 
derably dilated at the base. It forms its nest of the seed- Nest, &c. 
tops of reeds and long grass, lined with the finer parts of the 
first-named materials ; and suspends it between a few adjoin- 
ing stems. It is made so deep as entirely to conceal the 
bird when sitting, an instance of provident mstinct to pre- 
vent the eggs from being thrown out when the supporting 
reeds are bowed by the force of the wind. 
Mownracu observes, that he has seen this bird sitting on 
her nest, when the wind blew hard, and that every gust for- 
ced it almost to the surface of the water. It lays four or five 
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