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the reeds its peculiar rattling note might be heard in every direction. The bird, when uttering 

 this cry, climbs to the very top of a reed, often choosing the tallest, where it sits, if not disturbed, 

 for several minutes without changing its position. When singing, the head is moved slowly from 

 side to side, by which means it may be that the ventriloquism ascribed to the Grasshopper 

 Warbler is produced, the apparent change of position of the bird being, in fact, a change in the 

 direction in which the sound of its voice is thrown. On taking alarm, the songster drops 

 instantly into the thickest sedge, when pursuit is hopeless, as it carefully eludes observation, 

 never showing itself in open light ; sometimes, however, its course may be traced by the shaking 

 of the reeds as it springs from one to another. The peculiar nest of this species — a beautifully 

 compact structure, composed entirely of dead flags — is artfully concealed in the thickest parts ; 

 and at Zana it can only be found by wading in mud and water up to the middle ; and even then 

 it is quite a chance to find one. The eggs from this locality are decidedly smaller than English 

 and Dutch specimens." It does not appear to occur on the Canaries ; and as regards the eastern 

 limit of its range, I find no record of its having been met with further east than Southern Russia. 



This Warbler is a true marsh-bird, and is never found except in low marshy localities 

 covered with a dense growth of reeds, sedges, and low bushes ; for, unlike the Grasshopper 

 Warbler, which it otherwise resembles in its habits, it never quits these localities, or is found in 

 dry ground. It is a shy bird, and may easily be overlooked, as it keeps itself well concealed 

 amongst the dense herbage, and is usually very reluctant to take wing. As a rule it is a summer 

 visitant to all parts of Europe where it occurs, arriving in April and leaving again early in 

 September. 



Some excellent notes on its habits and nidification, unfortunately too long to translate in 

 extenso, have been published by Count Casimir Wodzicki (J. f. O. 1853, Extrah. pp. 48-50). 

 Comparing the present species with its ally (L. fluviatilis), he says that it is much tamer and 

 more curious, always in motion, now on the ground, now climbing about amongst the reeds. If 

 it hears a noise it comes to ascertain the cause, and will perch on a reed to ascertain who the 

 intruder is. In some seasons it is numerous, and in others rare. Unlike the River- Warbler it 

 is very excitable and quarrelsome, and will follow a rival into the immediate vicinity of an 

 intruder, even when shots have been fired. Both sexes incubate in turn, and sit so close that 

 they may be watched when on the nest, and when frightened off soon return, flying from branch 

 to branch, coming almost always on the wing, and not skulking along the ground. The nest he 

 describes as resembling that of the Little Crake, but less in size, and adds that he has frequently 

 watched them building. At first both sexes assist ; but later on all the labour devolves on the 

 female. The call-note of both sexes is a short Terr. During the breeding-season the male sings 

 incessantly, and when uttering his song sits high or low, but always still, the neck being 

 stretched, the head slightly thrown back, and the throat puffed out. He heard the song all clay 

 to sunset, but not in the night. 



After the young are fledged, the whole family leave the reeds and spread over damp places 

 covered with grass and water-plants, where they remain till late in September and then migrate. 

 Contrary to what Count C. Wodzicki states, Professor Newton says that its song is heard chiefly 

 early in the morning or at nightfall, and consists of a long smooth trill, pitched higher, but 

 possessing more tone than that of the Grasshopper Warbler. 



