SONG BIRDS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



spirited, changeful, precipitously running over 

 every note and half-note within the compass of 

 his pipe, quicker than even attention can follow ; 

 touching, as he passes, the notes of other birds 

 so exactly that he has been called a mocking bird, 

 and supposed to possess the power of imitating 

 all others. Sometimes he soars up in the air, 

 jerking in his flight and singing as he descends, 

 in the manner of the Whitethroat. But what adds 

 peculiarly to his value as a vocalist is his pro- 

 pensity to be a serenader, especially if he happens 

 to be disturbed by any noise." 



The song of this bird (says Montagu) has been 

 erroneously given to the Reed Sparrow by various 

 authors, whereas that bird has no notes that deserve 

 the name of song ; but as they frequent the same 

 places to breed, and the Reed Sparrow is conspicu- 

 ous on the upper branches, while this little Warbler, 

 concealed in the thickest part, is heard aloud, the 

 song has been confounded. 



The Sedge Bird feeds on dragon-flies, may-flies, 

 ephemeras, and other insects that frequent marshes ; 

 and it is curious to see how quickly it darts from 

 the reeds or willow-roots, catches the fly, and flits 

 back again.* 



The nest is made amidst the sedge and reeds 

 which grow by the sides of rivers or in watery 

 places, and is composed of a little moss intermixed 

 with dried stalks, lined with dried grass, and occasion- 

 ally with a few hairs ; sometimes it is fastened 

 between two or three reeds : others we have found 



* Syme. 



