448 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



the nest has been neatly woven a quantity of white wool, very 

 much like cotton-wool, but in all probability pieces of sheep's- 

 wool from bushes and fences near the nesting site. Intertwined 

 with the wool of the rim, and also forming part of the inside 

 cup of the nest, is a quantity of the above-mentioned stems and 

 flower-heads of reed-grass, the cup itself being lined with fine 

 stems of dried reed-grass. 



The nest measures four inches in depth, across the rim two 

 inches, and depth two inches. Outside, it is rather loosely con- 

 structed, but the interior is neatly and compactly made. 



It contained five eggs when first found, one of which was 

 unfortunately destroyed. The eggs exactly correspond to the 

 descriptions given by the best authorities, being quite different 

 in ground-colour and markings from those of the Eeed-Warbler. 

 It almost amounts to a certainty that the breeding-range of this 

 bird is much more widespread in the Southern Counties than is 

 generally supposed. On account of its haunts, habits, song, 

 nesting periods and sites being so very similar to those of its 

 congener the Eeed-Warbler, it is without doubt almost always 

 passed over unobserved, until by some accident it is discovered 

 and reported. It may be that further observation will reveal its 

 presence in other parts of this and adjoining counties. 



To show how little it is known in Hampshire, or, at any 

 rate, how it may have been mistaken for its ally, I quote the 

 following from the recently published ' Birds of Hampshire and 

 the Isle of Wight,' by Kelsall and Munn, with regard to its 

 apparent rarity in this county : — " A rare summer visitor. In 

 Mr. Hart's collection there is a specimen (a bird) procured in 

 May, 1869, and he has also a clutch of eggs taken near Christ- 

 church. A nest with eggs was taken at Alresford Great Pond 

 in June, 1863, by Mr. W. H. Smith." 



The record concludes with these pertinent remarks : — "We 

 do not think that this species is really so scarce as it is supposed 

 to be, but rather is overlooked ; though the bird resembles the 

 Eeed-Warbler its nest is placed in situations similar to the 

 Sedge- Warbler's." It is evident this example is a clear excep- 

 tion to the rule as given by most authorities. 



Have the bird and its nest been found and authoritatively 

 identified in Hampshire since 1863 ? If so, when, where, and 



