SEDGE-WARBLER 



the roots of the herbage, often hopping on to and along the 

 ground in swampy places, where small worms and spiders are 

 abundant, and since they generally inhabit swampy places, 

 swamp-loving insects form a great portion of their food. It 

 is common to see the adults hunting the willows and small 

 alders (Alnus glutinosa), but never the high trees. The young 

 in July when fully grown are not so particular in this respect, 

 often searching in the tops of large alders, especially during 

 the swarming time of the aphides. It is no doubt the pursuit 

 of food that leads the adults into the middle of cornfields, but 

 I have not been able to determine what the special food 

 they are following consists of. 



Flies belonging to the Chironomidce, of which I have 

 identified the following, are frequently taken : Chironomus 

 viridis, Chironomus brevitibialis, and Tanypus choreics. 



These insects can be seen, especially in the morning, both 

 early and late in the season, clustering under the leaves of the 

 willows, hazels and alders. A slight tap on the branches will 

 frequently produce incredible numbers, where before few could 

 be seen. 



In June and July they feed, amongst other insects, on the 

 following : — 



Genus. Species. 



Homoptera ... ... Cicadula septennotata. 



Hemipteron ... ... Macomma ambulans. 



Coleoptera ... ... Gyphon coarctatus. 



IDolichopus ungulatus. 

 Tipulcz 

 -Limnobiiace. 

 EmpidcB. 



The young, especially when still in the nest, are fed largely 

 on these insects, occasionally also on the larvae of certain 

 moths and butterflies. During all the summer months great 

 numbers of aphides are devoured, in fact, these insects appear 

 to constitute the great food supply, not only of this species, 

 but of many others also. A close inspection of the twigs and 



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