35 
written, is very commonly confounded with its congener, by observers of all de¬ 
scriptions, when in its native haunts. In the hand, the two species are sufficiently 
dissimilar, and, for members of the same very natural genus, are by no means 
closely allied; but, in the bush, a little attention is necessary to discrimate be¬ 
tween the two, and our naturalists are, I think, generally culpable, for not describ¬ 
ing, with more precision, how they are then to be known apart. Thus, Montagu 
simply informs us that “ their notes are similarforgetting that this very simili¬ 
tude rendered it doubly incumbent on him to point out whatever difference there 
may be between them, as most of his readers would, doubtless, be much better 
pleased to be enabled to distinguish the two in their native wilds, than as mere 
cabinet specimens, removed from their places in nature. It should be the con¬ 
stant aim of the ornithologist to pourtray his various subjects as they appear in 
their wild haunts, in order that his readers may at once recognize them in a state 
of freedom. In this respect, many of Mr. Mudie’s eloquent descriptions may be 
cited as absolute models of perfection. 
The Fen Reedling’s notes are, most undoubtedly, very similar to those of its 
congener ; but may be distinguished by a little attention to the following particu¬ 
lars. The song is even more hurriedly delivered, and is, also, more continuous ; 
there are no harsh discordant chirpings, no apparent imitations of the Sparrow or 
Chimney Swallow; at the same time, the chant is certainly less varied, and, 
indeed, consists but of an incessant repetition of a number of detached chirrups, 
some of which are, however, by no means unmusical. This, also, is kept up night 
and day, though less habitually in the night season than that of the Sedge Reed- 
ling ; and it is never uttered with more emphasis than when any one is very near 
the nest, an incident which provokes many of what are commonly termed “ the 
Warblers” to sing loud, particularly the Blackcap and other Fauvets, as most 
bird’s-nesting persons must have often noticed. The Fen Reedling sometimes 
chirrups on the wing, as it passes from one bush to another, but I believe it never 
rises singing into the air, like its only ascertained British congener. It also con¬ 
tinues to chatter much later in the season than the Sedge Reedling, and may be 
heard till about the middle or third week of July; wherefore those observers who 
may have fancied that they have heard the Sedge Reedling until this period, will 
do well to entertain at least a suspicion that it was S. arundinacea , that is to say, 
if they were not previously well acquainted with the notes of the latter species.* 
* I have since heard a Sedge Reedling pertinaciously chattering on the 20th of July, 
but during a refreshing thunder-shower, succeeding a long period of drought; a juncture 
at which, of all others, the feathered race are particularly musical; (see Mudie’s description 
of the Green Woodpecker). Although many Fen Reedlings were in the vicinity, they 
were all silent, and I heard only that one Sedge Reedling, where, a few weeks before, 
both species would have vied in garrulity. As a general rule, therefore, this does not affect 
what I have above stated. The same evening, the Fen Reedlings were singing in the 
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