98 Birds. 



of grass, intenvoveu with the reed-tops and the dry spongy substance 

 which covers many of the marsh ditches ; also dry duckweed, and 

 here and there a long piece of sedge is wound securely around it ; 

 the lining is of the finer flowering stems of grass, intermixed with a 

 little horse-hair. It is a deep and solid structure, so that the eggs 

 cannot easily roll out; it is firmly fastened to the reeds in tide ditches 

 and rivers, at the height of three or four feet from the water, but in 

 still ditches often not more than a foot. 



The eggs are generally five, rather larger than those of the sedge 

 bird, and of a greenish tint, thickly blotched wdth darkish ash-colour 

 at the large end, the smaller end being spotted with light brown ; the 

 markings are of different sizes, and sometimes vary in the same nest. 



In windy weather, when wading through the reed-beds, 1 have seen 

 nests, with both old and young in them, blown nearly to the surface 

 of the water ; but the birds fix their claws firmly to the sides of the 

 nest, with their heads to windward, and thus ride as securely in their 

 cradle as a sailor does in his cot or hammock. 



The nest is rarely blown down, for when the men cut the reeds in 

 winter they frequently find it firmly fixed to the stalks, and call it the 

 " reed-sparrow's." 



As soon as the young ones quit the nest, which they do early, they 

 are very active, and nimbly hop up and down the reed-stems, it mat- 

 ters not which end uppermost; they are very tenacious in their grasp, 

 and very noisy and clamorous for food. Both old and young, at this 

 time, utter a screaming note, something similar to that of young star- 

 lings, with now and then a deep harsh "churr." 



The naturalist will find the before-mentioned reedy ditches, closely 

 margined with bushes and brambles, the most easy places to study 

 the habits of the reed and sedge birds. Whenever I wish to become 

 acquainted with these birds, I resort to the reedy beds and imitate the 

 squeaking cries of the young in distress. The males of both species, 

 if within hearing, directly fly to the place from whence the sounds 

 proceed, and begin to sing stoutly; and it is curious that a stone 

 thrown into the reeds or bushes, will often produce a similar effect. 

 When I have found the^nest of the reed- warbler with young, I have 

 almost thrown the parent bird into fits by continuing those cries which 

 they suppose to proceed fi-om their little ones. The male bird will ap- 

 proach close to you in a bold and fearless manner, singing his mei 

 varied song, which to me is discoursing "most eloquent music ;' 

 throat, while singing, is greatly distended. The hen bird all the tim^ 

 utters a harsh screaming note, and anxiously shifts to and fro from 



