Juv. supra magis jrufesceriti-fuscus, subtus rufescenti-cerviuus, mento albo, stria superciliari distincta cervina. 



Adult Male (xlstrachan) . Upper parts generally dull light brown with a warm tinge; an indistinct dull 

 white line passes from the base of the bill over the eye ; quills brown, with light edges ; tail brown ; 

 chin, throat, and underparts white, on the flanks, under wing-coverts, and under tail-coverts washed 

 with pale warm fawn-colour; a few very indistinct striae on the throat; first primary small, much 

 shorter than the wing-coverts, the second and third equal ; bill brown, the lower mandible yellow at 

 the base and underneath to the tip; iris brown; legs light brown: toes and claws darker. Total 

 length about 8 inches, culmen 0-78, wing 3"85, tail 3"15, tarsus 12. 



Young (Moravia). Differs from the adult in having the brown on the upper parts tinged with warm red, 

 almost rusty ochreous ; underparts warm rusty fawn-colour, the chin and upper throat only being 

 white; the streak over the eye is much more clearly defined and is warm fawn-buff. 



In the north of Europe the present species is but rare; but throughout Central and Southern 

 Europe it is tolerably common in suitable localities, and occurs down to South Africa. In Asia 

 it is only found in the western districts, being replaced throughout the major portion of that 

 continent by a smaller form, Acrocephalus orientalis. 



It is only a rare visitant to Great Britain, and has not been kuown to breed with us. The 

 first recorded occurrence is that given by Mr. John Hancock of one shot near the village of 

 Sw;i.t\vell, not far from Newcastle, on the 28th May 1847. Professor Newton, in the fourth 

 edition of Yarrell's ' British Birds,' cites, besides the above occurrence, four others, viz. : — one near 

 Sittingbourne, Kent, recorded by Mr. Morris; one between Tonbridge and Sevenoaks; one near 

 Erith, Kent ; and one at Dagcnham, Essex, on the 16th June 1853. As remarked by Mr. Gould, 

 freshly killed specimens are not unfrcquently sent over to the London markets from Holland ; 

 and therefore one should be careful not to trust too implicitly to specimens said to have been 

 shot in England, even though tiny may have come into the stuffer's hands here in the flesh. 



In Scandinavia this Reed-Warbler is extremely rare, and has not been known to occur in 

 Norway. It would appear, however, that a bird described by Malm under the name of Calamo- 

 herpe media, from near Gothenburg, may possibly be referable to the present species; but 

 Professor Sundevall inclines to the opinion that it is distinct, and it may prove to be Acroce- 

 yhalus orientalis. Nor does it appear to have occurred in Finland ; and Mr. Sabanaeff says that 

 it is rare in Central Russia : he saw it twice in the Jaroslaf and Romanoff districts ; but it is not 

 found in the Moscow Government, though it breeds in that of Smolensk and the northern 

 port ions of the Tamboff Government. In the Ural he found it numerous in the Ekaterinburg 

 and Shadrinsk districts; and it breeds on the Ural lakes. In Poland, according to Mr. Tacza- 

 nowski, it is common everywhere, arriving late in April and leaving about the end of August. 



In North Germany it is tolerably widely distributed, and even very common in some 

 localities ; but it is rare in the western portion of that empire. Von Homeyer states that he 

 found it exceedingly common near Sabor, in Silesia ; and Dr. E. Rey writes that it is the com- 

 monest aquatic Warbler in Saxony, where it usually arrives late in April. 



According to Mr. J. Collin it occurs here and there in the Danish duchies. Hage found it 

 breeding at Kiel ; Mr. Beck observed it at Aaleborg ; and it is said to breed annually near 

 Brunsbiittel. According to Mr. A. Benzon it breeds also regularly at Odense. 



