GREAT SEDGE WARBLER. 
123 
bird was breeding in tlie neighbourhood; and I have 
some reason for believing that the nidification of this 
species has occurred in another part of England.” Mr. 
Hancock, who then further states that he has an egg 
of this species, taken in Northamptonshire, has since 
expressed to me some doubts upon the subject, having 
lately ascertained that the friend from whom he received 
the egg had in his possession also eggs not British. 
Mr. Gould says that the nest of this species is sup¬ 
ported like that of our reed warbler amongst reeds. 
The great depth of a nest which I have from the col¬ 
lection of Mr. A. Newton, would lead one to suppose 
that it must have been placed in an elevated position, 
and liable to be shaken by the wind. It is composed 
almost altogether of the fine flowering tops of reeds and. 
other grasses an inch thick, bound round outside by 
their stalks and ribband-leaves. 
The eggs are four or five in number. A variety in 
the collection of Mr. Salmon is tinted with light blue, 
sparingly spotted, and a good deal like the variety of the 
egg of the reed warbler at fig. 2. 
