344 
STRANGE DWELLINGS . 
CHAPTER XXIX. 
TEA THERED BRANCH-BUILDERS— [concluded). 
The Sedge-Warbler — Its nest and loquacity — The Reed-Warbler — Use 
of its peculiar tail — Localities haunted by the bird — Song of the Reed- 
Warbler — Its deep and beautifully balanced nest — Colour of the eggs — The 
Indigo Bird — The Capocier — Familiarity of the bird— Le Vaillant’s 
experiments — How the nest is made — Division of labour— Lovers’ quarrels — 
Structure of the nest — Humming-birds again — The Fiery Topaz — Ap- 
pearance of the nest — Its shape and the materials of which it is made— The 
Hermit Humming-Birds and their nests — The Ruby-throated Hum- 
ming Bird — Variable dimensions of the nest — Concealment — Mr. Webber 
and his discoveries — Variable form and positions of the nest — Materials of 
which it is made — Its deceptive exterior — Feeding of the young — The Red- 
backed Shrike — Use of the Shrike in falconry — Their singular mode of 
feeding — Impaled prey — Conspicuous character of the nest — Popular ideas 
concerning the Red-backed Shrike — Structure of the nest. 
Another bird that loves to build near water is the pretty little 
Sedge Warbler {Salicaria fihragmitis). 
The nest of this bird is placed at a very low elevation, usually 
within a foot or so from the ground, and raised upon rushes, 
reeds, or other coarse herbage, which is found abundantly in such 
places. There is more material in the nest than might be sup- 
posed from the size of the bird and the slender stems by which 
it is supported. Viewed from the exterior, it seems to have the 
ordinary cup-shaped form which is so prevalent among small 
birds, but looked at from above, the apparent depth is seen to 
be owing to the mass of material, the hollow being singularly 
small and shallow. It is a well-made nest, the general frame- 
work being formed of leaves of grass -blades, while strength, 
warmth, and density are attained by the quantity of wool and 
hair which are woven into the fabric. 
The Sedge Warbler is well known for its loquacity, and its 
ceaseless chatter. Should it be silent, a stone flung among the 
