REED WARBLER. 



589 



but the eyebrows are like the rest of the head : 

 . the under parts of the body yellowish white ; the 

 throat, and down the middle of the belly, are 

 lightest J the sides incline to reddish brown : the 

 quills and tail are dusky, edged with olive-brown ; 

 the feathers of the latter are wedged : legs dusky 

 brown : both sexes are similar. 



The nest of this bird is curiously suspended 

 between three or four reeds, or upon some plant 

 overhanging the water; it is fastened by means of 

 dead grass, of which, and reeds, it is principally 

 composed on the outside ; the lining consists of 

 the flowery tufts of the reeds, dead grass, and a 

 few horse-hairs ; it is very deep in proportion, 

 which gives great security to the eggs, as the nest 

 is perpetually swinging about with the wind, every 

 gust forcing it nearly to the water. The eggs 

 are four or five in number, rather larger than 

 those of the Sedge Warbler, of a greenish white, 

 blotched with dusky brown, particularly at the 

 larger end. 



About the latter end of April or the beginning 

 of May this species makes its appearance, and is 

 found during the summer in many parts of the 

 eastern division of the kingdom, but has not been 

 seen to the west as far as Wiltshire or Somerset- 

 shire : it is very abundant near the river Coin, in 

 Buckinghamshire, among the reeds : it is a very 

 shy bird, and is difficult to meet with : its note 

 is similar to that of the Sedge Warbler, with which 

 it is often confounded. 



