THE GRASSHOPPER WARBLER. 



Sylvia locustella, Lath. 



This bird, sometimes called Grasshopper Lark, 

 has considerable resemblance to the Sedge Bird 

 (Sylvia pkragmitei) and to the Reed Warbler ( Sylvia 

 arundinacea ) ; yet there are many differences by 

 which they may be distinguished from each other, 

 besides their notes, which are very dissimilar. 



The plumage of the present species is on the 

 whole upper parts of a more greenish hue than the 

 others, and mottled. The feathers of the tail are 

 somewhat pointed, which is a very marked and 

 peculiar character in this species ; the outer feather 

 being full an inch shorter than the middle ones, 

 and nearly rounded at the tips : the wing remark- 

 ably short, reaching very little beyond the base 

 of the tail ; legs very pale brown. 



Some confusion (says Mr. Rennie) has arisen 

 respecting this bird, from an idea that it is a Lark, 

 and not a Warbler. It is, however, in every respect 

 dissimilar in character and habits to the Larks. 

 It has no long claw behind, resides in thickets, and 

 is incapable of running on the ground like a Lark, 

 but moves by hopping ; so that the confusion can 

 only arise from ignorance of the bird's habits.* 

 The Grasshopper Warbler is not a plentiful 



* Ornithological Dictionary, Rennie's edit. 



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