226 
allen’s naturai.ist’s library. 
whither it migrates apparently by the eastern side of the conti- 
nent, as it has been obtained in East Africa on passage. 
Habits. — Although not often seen by the ordinary observer, 
the Sedge-Warbler’s note is familiar to most dwellers in the 
country, and those who do not know the bird by sight are 
well acquainted with its noisy and chattering song, which can be 
heard from early morning till late at night, and even when dark- 
ness has fallen, the Sedge-Warbler and its companion, the Reed- 
Warbler, may be heard singing, keeping company with the 
richer notes of the Nightingale. It does not, as its name 
would imply, confine its habitat to the sedges, for it is found 
in all kinds of situations, seldom very far from water. It 
will hunt for food by the side of a lake or river, keeping well 
out of sight, excepting when it is tempted to ascend to the top 
of a reed or small bush and give forth its song as it works its 
way up. It may, however, be just as often met with in a reedy 
ditch, and as often as not in bushes and shrubberies at some 
little distance from the water, to the neighbourhood of which, 
however, it always returns before long. In the autumn the 
family parties frequent the willows and reed-beds in the 
Thames Valley, and the young birds may often be seen 
running, like little Mice, over the masses of dead rushes and 
plants which collect in some of the reed-beds and back- 
waters. The song of the Sedge- Warbler is unmistakable, and 
is uttered from the depths of its retreat. A stone thrown in to 
start the bird generally results in setting it off singing, and it is 
very difficult to dislodge it and drive it into the open. When 
not alarmed, however, it may often be seen flying across the 
rivers to the other bank, or taking short excursions to the 
neighbouring hedge-rows. Most of the notes of the song are 
harsh and not altogether musical, but some of them are very 
clear and pleasing. When alarmed it gives vent to a kind of 
1 1 churr ”-ing note, especially when anyone approaches the 
vicinity of the nest. 
Nest. — This is not suspended between reeds like that of the 
Reed-Warbler, but, when built among the rushes, is either sup- 
ported on dead cross-stems of the latter, or it is placed on an 
overhanging branch. Occasionally it is placed in a bush 
some height from the ground, generally at a little distance 
