REED WARBLER. 



be readily taken in a trap baited with a small moth 

 or green caterpillar. Being very wild and restless 

 when first caught, they should, if possible, be placed 

 in a cage with other tame birds ; or if one is placed 

 in a cage by itself, it should be set near a cage 

 with some other bird in it, which reconciles it to 

 confinement."* 



It will readily take to feed on bruised hemp- 

 seed and bread, if a few flies or other small insects 

 are stuck into the paste. It is likewise fond of 

 the yolk of a boiled egg, which should not be 

 mixed with the bread and hemp-seed, but be given 

 by itself as a change of food. Any small insects, 

 such as the smooth caterpillars, moths, butterflies, 

 spiders, grasshoppers, crickets, ants, &c. they are 

 very partial to. As they are fond of washing, a pan 

 of water should for that purpose be placed in the 

 cage during summer ; but it should not be allowed 

 this luxury in the winter season. 



The nest is composed of long grass and the seed- 

 branches of reeds, and lined with the finer parts of 

 the latter ; it is very deep, and conceals the bird 

 when sitting. This is generally fastened by long 

 grass to several reeds, which are drawn together 

 for that purpose, and generally placed over the 

 water. The eggs are four or five in number, 

 rather larger than those of the Sedge bird, of 

 a greenish white, blotched all over with dusky 

 brown. 



This species is much more local than the Sedge 

 bird, but they are sometimes found together. 



* British Warblers. 



