BIRDS OF THE REED-BEDS AND GRASS-LANDS 
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generally keeping among the reeds. Its call-note is a long-drawn-out, 
plaintive whistle, repeated a few times. Food: insects and various seeds. 
nest. An oval-shaped structure with an entrance at the top, com¬ 
posed of coarse grasses and aquatic plants; lined with feathers, a few 
of which protrude from the opening. Generally built in a tussock of 
long rushes growing in or near water, in a swamp tea-tree, or a man¬ 
grove tree. 
eggs. Usually four, pinkish or reddish-white, almost obscured with 
freckles of purplish-red, sometimes evenly distributed, at other times 
forming a zone on the larger end. Breeding-season: August to January. 
22. Tawny Grass-bird Megalurus galactotes Temminck 
gal-ac-to'-tcs— derivation unknown. 
distribution. From tropical northern Australia to New South 
Wales. 
notes. Usually in pairs, frequenting reed-beds and rank grass lands. 
It is a shy bird and rarely seen. Its call-note resembles a harsh and 
rapidly repeated "Chutch”. Food: insects of various kinds, and seeds. 
nest. A deep, cup-shaped structure, slightly domed or narrow at 
the top, composed of dried swamp grasses; lined with feathers. 
Generally built at the base of a tuft of long rushes. 
eggs. Usually three, reddish-white, freckled all over with purplish- 
red markings, which predominate on the larger end. Breeding-season: 
October to February. 
23. Reed-warbler Acrocephalus australis Gould 
Ac-ro-ct’ph'-al-us-Gk, acros, high; Gk, cephale, head: australis— 
southern (Australian). 
distribution. Australia generally, and Tasmania. 
notes. Also called Reed-bird, Water-sparrow, and Nightingale. 
Usually in pairs, frequenting reed-beds. It is a migrant, generally 
arriving in south-eastern Australia during August and departing in 
March or April. It is a general favourite and common in most of the 
ornamental lakes of parks and gardens. It has a rich, varied, and 
melodious song, resembling “Twitchee-twitchee-twitchee-quarty-quarty- 
quarty”, which is frequently poured forth at intervals throughout the 
day and night. Food: insects of various kinds and minute freshwater 
molluscs. 
nest. A deep, cup-shaped structure, slightly narrower at the rim 
composed of soft paper-like sheaths of reeds and dead aquatic plants, 
firmly woven round the stems of the reeds between which it is placed; 
lined with fine dried grasses. 
eggs. Three or four, varying from faint bluish-white or greyish- 
white to pale yellowish-brown, freckled and spotted with reddish and 
light brown and lavender markings. Breeding-season: September to 
February. 
