290 



British Cage Birds. 



passage, arriving in this country in April, and leaving again 

 in September or October. They are pretty generally distri- 

 buted throughout England, but somewhat rare in the greater 

 part of Scotland. They are to be found mostly about marshy 

 places, or at the sides of lakes, rivers, streams, and pools, as 

 they live chiefly on aquatic insects. 



The Eeed Fauvette builds its nest in reeds and sedges at the 

 sides of pools, ponds, lakes, rivers, or tributaries of rivers, and 

 sometimes in a low bush on the margin of a stream. The nest is 

 formed chiefly of dried grass or straw and the fibres of plants, 

 and is lined with hair ; it is a huge construction, indifferently 

 put together. The hen lays from four to six eggs (usually 

 five), of a dirty greenish white colour, marked irregularly with 

 brown and dusky grey. The male assists in the process of in- 

 cubation. The young birds, if disturbed, leave the nest at an 

 early age, as is the case with all the species of the Fauvette, they 

 being naturally of a nervous and timid nature. 



Methods of Capture. — These are essentially the same as 

 pursued in the case of Whitethroats. 



Food and Treatment. — In a state of Nature, these birds live 

 principally on flies, moths, and aquatic insects. In confinement, 

 they should be fed on bread and milk, mealworms, flies, and 

 caterpillars. They will eat the Compounds No. 1 and No. 2 

 {vide pp. 189, 190), mixed together, but require a supply of 

 insect food frequently, or they will die of decline. 



Rearing the Young. — These birds should be reared in the 

 same manner as recommended for young Whitethroats. 



Distinguishing Marks of Cock and Hen. — The hen is paler 

 in colour throughout her entire plumage than the cock ; the top 

 of her head, however, is browner, and the rump and tail coverts 

 duller, than those of the male, being of a whitish brown. 



Song. — The Reed Fauvette imitates the notes of several 

 distinct species of birds, and on this account has been called by 

 some the ''English Mocking Bird." It sings pretty well all day 

 long, and in the breeding season until late at night. The 

 song is a lively one, but generally short and hurried, and not 

 well sustained, though the voice is soft and mellow, and nicely 

 modulated. 



Points to be Observed in Judging. — This bird is not adapted 

 for the show bench, and consequently is not used for exhibition 

 purposes. 



