600 



observed it in summer in the Uman district, in South Russia, where it becomes very common in 

 the autumn. Professor von Nordmann says that it is abundant in Bessarabia and other provinces 

 of New Russia ; and Menetries shot it at Lenkoran, on the Caspian, where he met with it in rice- 

 fields and amongst reeds. The specimens, he says, had a rather longer beak and shorter tail than 

 those from Southern France. Strickland and Kriiper both record it as occurring near Smyrna, 

 in Asia Minor, in winter ; and, according to Canon Tristram, this species was " very common in 

 Palestine in every locality where the herbage and moisture gave them the slightest cover." 

 Captain Shelley found it common in Egypt in winter ; and Von Heuglin says that it visits Egypt 

 during winter with tolerable regularity, but is scarcely to be called common. Hemprich and 

 Ehrenberg obtained it in Nubia ; and Von Heuglin received several which were shot on the Sobat 

 river in March 1854. Loche records its occurrence in Algeria ; and Mr. Taczanowski says that he 

 observed several Sedge-Warblers in a marsh in the province of Constantine on the 28th of March. 

 According to Colonel Irby, Favier says that it is very rare near Tangier, and he seldom saw 

 more than one or two on passage, in March or in September ; and Mr. Andersson obtained 

 examples, identical with British-killed specimens, in Damara Land. I do not find any authentic 

 instance of its occurrence in Asia proper, except that Dr. Severtzoff states that it breeds in 

 Turkestan ; Pallas's statement that it occurs in Siberia doubtless refers to a distinct species. 



In general habits the present species assimilates tolerably closely to the Aquatic Warbler ; 

 and, like that bird, it inhabits the dense thickets of aquatic plants, through which it creeps, almost 

 mouse-like, with the greatest ease and agility. As it frequents the thick sedge- and reed-patches, 

 and but seldom shows itself in open places, it is not easy to watch its movements, though if one 

 keeps quiet for a time it relaxes its vigilance, and may be seen flitting from the top of one plant 

 to another ; but it soon dives down again into the thickest portion of the reed- or sedge-bed and 

 is lost to view. When suddenly startled it will fly a short distance in a wavering uncertain way, 

 its flight being irregular and feeble, the tail being much expanded and somewhat depressed. 

 Occasionally it may be seen amongst some old pollard willows which skirt the water's edge ; and 

 when it finds itself an object of attraction it will retreat from branch to branch, always seeking 

 the densest cover, until at last, compelled to take wing, it flits off with an irregular wavering 

 flight to seek shelter in the nearest sedge-patch. 



Exceedingly active and lively in its movements, the Sedge-Warbler is a most industrious 

 songster; and the pleasant note of the male may be heard not only during the day-time but at 

 night, and from the time when it arrives until the early part of August. Its call-note, a some- 

 what harsh call, something like that of the Whitethroat, is frequently uttered ; and the song of 

 the male may be ranked amongst the best of the aquatic Warblers' ; for though some of the notes 

 are harsh, and the song itself is frequently uttered hurriedly, yet it is pleasant and musical and 

 by no means wanting in depth or power. Naumann says that in some of the strophes one may 

 find a distant resemblance to the song or note of the Yellow Wagtail and of the Swallow. When 

 singing, the bird is usually perched on some elevated stem, where it sits with its throat swelled 

 out, its beak open, crest erected, and tail somewhat depressed, appearing to bring forth its song 

 almost with difficulty. When its song is ended, or even whilst singing, it will descend along the 

 stem of the reed, or flutter off to another perch. Frequently it has some favourite perch, where 

 it may usually be found singing, and which, when undisturbed, it visits daily. It is an uneasy 



