2 SEDGE-WAHBLER.
bear a close resemblance to tbe nilults. Should a famdy parly come into view among tbc reeds or aetlgcplant,
Ibero is Kttle difference to bo detected in tbe whole group, save tbe brighter appearance of the
feather, of the youngsters and tbeir shorter tails. In tbe same manner as in the rest of tho tabo, the
plumage of the old birds becomes considerably soded and worn by the middle of summer.
I am wcB aware mauT of the Sedgc-IVarblcrs landing on the Sussex coast in the spring arc only
on their way toward, the more northern countie., having frequently noticed them during their overland
passa»o in all sorts of uncongenial situations. It i., however, evident that a few mu.t make then way to
tbe British Islands across the North Sea, n. tbe wings of a couple of these bird, were received from the
•Lynn Well' light-ship during the summer of 1873, aud on making inquiries I learned that both came
on board the vessel early in May.
REED-WAltBLEli.
SALJCARIA STREPERA.
Fur. Mime years scientific naturalists were (if opinion tliat another Warbler, much resembling this species,
occasionally made its appearance la certain parts of the British Islands. To this form the name of Marsh-
"Warbler [SatUariu palttntri«) has now been given, and the bird is considered by more than one writer to he of
far from uncommon occurrence. This species has hitherto escaped my notice.
Up to the present I have never observed our noisy and familiar summer visitor the Common Hood-Wren
taking up its residence in any spot whore the reed {Pliritgmitcs rmiimiiiih) was not to lie found in larger or
smaller quantities. Shortly after landing on our shores, and while passing over the country to or from their
haunts, the birds may be detected settling for a time in any green cover, though such quarters arc speedily
deserted when rest or food have been obtained. It Is only among the stems of tbe reeds that I have seen the
nest; the fact, however, that this species occasionally resorts for breeding-purposes to osier-beds, lilac hushes,
and other similar situations has been frequently recorded by trustworthy authorities.
The Heed-Wren is scarcely so early in making lis appearance as the Soil ire-Warbler, aud is by no moans so
widely distributed over the country, I never identified a single specimen in Scotland, though one locality
in the south-east, whore tbe pn-sonee of the bird had been recorded, was most carefully watched. Tho
neighbourhood of the larger broads in the eastern counties is probably the headquarters of this Warbler in
Cheat Britain. In some of the more southern counties there are several well-known haunts ; but from reccut
observations, I have come to the conclusion that the speeios is far less numerous than il was twenty years ago.
Like their neighbours the Sod s;o-Warblers, these birds are remarkably noisy, though far from melodious
songsters. During the day both species coutiue themselves for tbe most part to an occasional cackling note,
evidently reserving tbeir harmony for the evening concert, which usually commences as soon as the sua gels
low. Iliokling Broad in the east of Norfolk is one of the spots where this may be heard to perfection any line
evening early in June, The din that is caused by several hundreds of these birds singing aud chattering at tho
same time, together with the croaking of the frogs, the jarring of tho Nighthawks, aud the drumming of the
Snipes, is perfectly deafening, and would never lie credited by those who have uot beard it. By about 11 P.M.
the greater number of tbc performers arc quiet; but the slightest sound, even tho slushing of a largo pike on
the look-out for his supper, is enough to make them break oul again in full chorus.
During cold and stormy weather these birds remain remarkably silent, hardly a sound, except the
occasional Bcream of a Coot or Moorhen, being heard through the swamps to break the monotony of the sighing
of the wind through the rced-heds and the splash of the rain on the open water.
The nest is usually attached to three or four stems of tbc reed ; and if rocking is a luxury to tho young
birds they must certainly during rough weather have a particularly happy time of it, as their cradle sways baekwardsand
forwards with every gusl of wind. I have found this species breeding in the small straggling patches
of reeds that fringe the edges of the marsh-dykes in various parts of Sussex. In Norfolk thousands resort to tbu