587 



shaped, and the cup measured about 3" in diameter. It was constructed of sea-weed and alsae, 

 together with fine roots, grasses, and bast-like fibres, with which it was fastened to the bush ; the 

 eggs are 8-9'" long by 5|~6J"' diameter, and marked, on a white, pale greenish, or pale yellowish 

 ground, with ochreous yellow, violet-grey, and dark olive-grey spots, which are more densely 

 collected towards the larger end. I believe that this bird must rear two broods in the season, 

 as in the same locality I killed an unfledged bird late in August." 



Dr. Severtzoff informs me that he met with both the present species and the Thrush-like 

 Warbler in Turkestan; and Mr. Blanford and Major St. John obtained it in Persia and Balu- 

 chistan. Mr. Blanford says (E. Pers. ii. p. 195), it was " rather scarce at Bampur, in Baluchistan, 

 early in April, in reeds by a stream ; but it abounded in June near the Lake of Shiraz, and in 

 the great marsh of Asupas north of Shiraz. It evidently breeds in both these localities, but 

 probably leaves the Persian highlands in winter. Its loud monotonous note was frequently 

 heard near Shiraz." He believes that it also extends into Northern Persia ; and Mr. A. O. Hume 

 states (Stray Feathers, i. p. 190) that it "swarms in the reedy clumps that fringe and dot the 

 many inland waters of Sindh, and was not unfrequently noticed on the tamarisk bushes where 

 reeds were scarce." According to Dr. Jerdon (B. of India, ii. p. 155), " it is found in most 

 parts of India in the cold weather ; for it is only a winter visitant. It extends into Assam and 

 Arrakan. It frequents high reeds and grasses, grain-fields and gardens, where it hunts among 

 the pea-rows, beans, and other vegetables. It clings strongly to the stalks of grain, and makes 

 its way adroitly through thick grass or bushes, concealing itself when observed, and being with 

 difficulty driven out. It feeds on grasshoppers, ants, and other insects." Captain Butler says 

 (Stray Feathers, iii. p. 478) that it is only a cold-weather visitant, and by no means common, in 

 Northern Guzerat in the drier portions, but is not rare in the tank country. It has been met 

 with on the island of Ceylon. Mr. Vincent Legge obtained it at Hambantotta in 1873, and 

 subsequently ascertained that it inhabits the north-eastern districts as well, being very local and 

 only found in tanks entirely overgrown with reeds and other impenetrable vegetation. He found 

 it in a tank near Trincomalie and in the Topare or Pollnanera tank. He describes (I. c.) the 

 Ceylon bird as distinct ; but, after carefully reading his description, I cannot believe that he is 

 justified in so doing. Dr. Jerdon states (I. c.) that it occurs in China; but, judging from 

 Mr. Swinhoe's notes, this appears to be incorrect. According to Mr. Blyth, however (Ibis, 1867, 

 p. 18), it was received by Mr. Gray from Batchian, and it also occurs in Java. 



I give above, all the information respecting the habits of the present species in Egypt and 

 India which I find recorded by the various collectors who have obtained it. It breeds in Egypt, 

 and also numerously in Cashmere, where both Mr. W. E. Brooks and Captain Cock took its nest. 

 Mr. A. O. Hume gives details of its nidification, communicated by these gentlemen (Nests and 

 Eo-o-s of Ind. B. pp. 326, 327), from which I gather that the nest is built amongst the reeds, and 

 is about eighteen inches above the water, supported by three or four reeds. It is a deep massive 

 cup, in the shape of an inverted and slightly truncated cone; externally it is 3| inches in 

 diameter, and is nearly 6 inches deep ; it is massive but by no means neat, composed of coarse 

 water-grass mingled with a few dead leaves and fibrous roots of water-plants. The egg-cavity is 

 lined with finer and more compactly woven grass, and measures about If inch in diameter by 

 2J inches in depth. It breeds in May and June, four being the full complement of eggs. Early 



