THE MARSH-WARBLER. 

 Acrocephalus palustris (Bechstein). 

 Plate 7. 



This bird so much resembles the preceding species that it was not until atten- 

 tion was drawn to the difference by Mr. Harting and other ornithologists, that it 

 was given a place on the British list. There is now little doubt that the bird visits 

 England annually. The Marsh- Warbler arrives late in May, and, so far as we know 

 at present, is a scarce and local species, nesting in the midland, southern, and south- 

 eastern counties. Abroad it reaches as far north as Denmark and eastwards to 

 Persia, wintering in Africa. 



Although closely resembling the Reed-Warbler in outward appearance, the 

 Marsh-Warbler differs considerably in habits, and in its song which is much more 

 striking and melodious. The colour of the upper parts is slightly more olive and 

 less rufous than in those of the Reed- Warbler ; while its legs and feet are fleshy- 

 brown, whereas in the other they are slaty-brown. 



The nest is usually placed in rank herbage or bushes, generally near water, 

 but not over it, and is more or less lightly constructed of grass-stalks and lined 

 with horse-hair. The eggs, varying in number from five to seven, are white, 

 spotted and blotched with olive-brown. 



Its food consists of insects, and also of berries. 



The sexes do not differ in colour. 



One specimen of Blyth's Reed-Warbler, Acrocephalus dumetomm, was shot on 

 Fair Isle, Scotland, in September 1910. 



This species differs from the Reed-Warbler in having a shorter second primary 

 feather, and in the colour being more of an olive-brown. 



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