CHAPTER XLII. 



The Reed Fauvette. 



Motacilla salicaria, Lin. ; Le Fauvette de roseaux, Buf. 



Description and Character. — The Reed Fauvette, Sedge Bird, 

 Sedge Warbler, or Sedge Wren, as it is variously named, is 

 a lively, pert bird, and is often kept in an aviary with birds 

 whose habits are analogous to its own. Those persons who 

 have been accustomed to visit the sides of rivers, on angling 

 excursions, or on boating expeditions, can scarcely have failed 

 to notice the familiar and almost ceaseless song of this bird, 

 in which occur the frequently-repeated notes, ''Chit, Chit," 



Chiddy, Chiddy, Chiddy," the latter being pronounced as plainly 

 and distinctly as possible. The Reed Fauvette is much bolder, and 

 more familiar, than the generality of its tribe, and will alight 

 and commence its song within a few feet of an angler busily 

 engaged in the exercise of his fascinating pursuit. 



A fully-grown bird measures 5in. in length, of which the tail 

 is 2fin, The bill is blackish brown. The iris is hazel. The 

 head, hinder part of neck, and back, are brown, streaked with 

 blackish brown, the neck and back having a rufous tinge. The 

 cheeks are brown. Over each eye is a streak of straw colour, 

 and above these others of blackish brown. The wings, wing 

 coverts, and tail, are dusky brown, edged with pale yellowish 

 brown ; the rump is yellowish brown. The throat, breast, and 

 belly, are dirty white, the latter being tinged with pale yellow. 

 The thighs are yellow ; the legs are brownish black, and the 

 hind claws long, and much hooked. 



Habits and Breeding. — Reed Fauvettes are birds of 



