the rapidity of a mouse. In order to obtain specimens, I have been obliged to watch for a considerable time before a distinct view of the individual, and an opportunity to fire at it, could be obtained; although, during that time, the frequent repetition of its remarkable note told its immediate proximity. This note consists of a sort of sibilant ringing cry sometimes repeated for many minutes without intermission, and resembles so exactly the note of the Mole-cricket (Grylla Talpa), as to render it a difficult task to distinguish them; and probably, as MONTAGU suggests, may answer the double purpose of a decoy-note to these insects, and a song of love and invitation to its feathered mate. In the utterance of this note, it appears to possess a kind of ventriloquism, as it can cause the sound, at one moment, to proceed from the immediate neighbourhood of the listener, and at the next, as if removed to some distance, and this without any actual change of place in the operator *. As it builds in the closest bramble or furze bushes, the nest is very seldom found, and it remained undescribed till the publication of the Nest, &c. Ornithological Dictionary. It is composed of moss, and the dried stems of the ladies' bed-straw (Galium), and bears a great resemblance to that of the Pettychaps, or the WhiteThroat, though it is thicker, and more compact in texture. The eggs are four or five in number, of a pinkish-grey, with numerous specks of a deeper tint. The young, when disturbed, immediately quit the nest, although but half fledged, trusting, doubtless, to their instinctive power of conceal ment. This bird has been supposed to leave England early in the autumn, as its cricket-like cry is seldom heard later than July or August; but as this note is presumed to be restricted to a determinate period, viz. the season of pairing, it may perhaps remain as late as its congeners, but unnoticed, from its shy nature, and retired habits. * The same effect must have been frequently observed as attendant on the Corn-crake (Gallinula Crex, Lath.), a bird also very difficult to raise on wing. PLATE 45**. Fig. 1. Natural size. Upper parts of the body deep oil-green; the centres of the General descripfeathers, except upon the rump, dusky, or yellowish- tion. brown. Throat white, bounded by a circle of small oval brown spots. Breast and flanks pale oil-green, passing into greenish-white on the middle of the belly. Under tail-coverts greyish-white, the shafts of the feathers being black. Quills dusky, margined with pale oil-green; tail the same, and very wedge-shaped. Legs and feet pale yellowish-brown. Claws hooked and strong. The female is not distinguishable from the male bird in the tints and formation of her plumage. SEDGE-WARBLER. SALICARIA PHRAGMITIS, Mihi. PLATE XLV **. FIG. 2. Sylvia Phragmitis, Bechst. Naturg. Deut. v. 3. p. 633-Id. Tasschenb. Sylvia Salicaria, Lath. Ind. Ornith. v. 2. p. 516. sp. 26. Curruca arundinacea, Briss. 3. p. 378. 5. Avis consimilis staparolæ, Raii Syn. p. 81. 6.—Will. p. 153. Becfin Phragmite, Temm. Man. d'Ornith. v. 1. p. 189. Schilfsanger, Meyer, Tasschenb. Deut. v. 1. p. 234. Enkel Karakiet, Sepp. Nederl. Vög. v. 2. t. 53. p. 98. Sedge Warbler, Arct. Zool. 2. No. 419.-White's Hist. Selb. p. 67. 71. 74. Willow Lark or Sedge Bird, Br. Zool. 1. No. 155. PROVINCIAL-Sedge Wren, Lesser Reed-Sparrow, Blethering Tam. visitant. IN size and form the Sedge-Warbler bears a great resem- Periodical blance to the preceding species, but may always be distinguished from it by the distinct white streak that passes above the eyes. It arrives about the same period, and resorts to marshes, Nest, &c. Food. banks of rivers, and lakes, or wherever reeds and other tall aquatic plants are sufficiently abundant to grant it the necessary shelter. In such situations, it may be heard during the whole day, and even through the greater part of the night, pouring forth its interrupted, though unwearied song. This consists of a great variety of notes, amongst which may be observed close imitations of the Swallow, Lark, Sparrow, and Linnet, mingled with other more guttural notes, and the whole delivered confusedly, but with great rapidity. In general it remains concealed from view, in the closest reeds or bushes; but will sometimes sing perched on the very top of a small branch, or warble in its flight (which on such occasions is very peculiar) from one station to another at short distances. It has been remarked of this bird, that, when silent, it immediately commences singing on being slightly disturbed, or being roused by a stone cast into the bush where it sits concealed. It has been frequently confounded with the Reed-Wren, which possesses similarity of form and habits; but, in this case also, the above-mentioned eye-streak proves a sufficient token of distinction. In addition to which, it is an abundant species, and very widely distributed; while the Reed-Wren appears limited to a few districts in the southern part of the kingdom. The Sedge-warbler builds amongst the aquatic plants it chiefly frequents, often suspending its nest between three or four of the closest adjoining reed-stems. I have also found its nest in willow and low birchen bushes. It is composed of a little moss, intermixed with coarse grasses, lined with hair and fine dry grass. The eggs are five or six in number, of a pale wood-brown, speckled with darker shades of the same colour. The food of this species consists of various aquatic flies, worms, and small slugs. This bird is among the latest of the Sylviada in taking its final departure in autumn, and I have frequently observed it as far as the 10th or 15th of October. According to TEMMINCK, it is very abundant throughout Holland, and is found also in Germany and France. In Great Britain I have traced it to the northern parts of Scotland. PLATE 45**. Fig. 2. Natural size. Form typical. Bill slender, depressed, and moderately General widened at the base; gape having three or four strong tin. descriphairs or bristles projecting rather forwards. Crown of the head deep yellowish-brown, spotted with dark liverbrown. Back and wing-coverts oil-green, the centres of the feathers being darker. Rump and upper tailcoverts pale yellowish-brown. Above the eye is a broad and distinct yellowish-white streak. Chin and throat white; the rest of the under parts yellowish-white, inclining to pale yellowish-brown upon the breast. Wings blackish-brown, margined with pale yellowish-brown. Tail wedge-shaped, hair-brown, margined paler. Legs and toes blackish-brown. Claws long, moderately curved, and very sharp. The female is similar in plumage to the male bird. REED-WREN. SALICARIA ARUNDINCEA, Mihi. PLATE XLV**. FIG. 3. Sylvia arundinacea, Lath. Ind. Ornith. v. 2. p. 510. sp. 12. Curruca arundinacea, Briss. Orn. v. 5. p. 378. 5. Passer arundinaceus, minor, Raii Syn. p. 47.-Will. p. 97. Fauvette de Roseaux, Buff. Ois. v. 5. p. 142. Becfin de Roseaux, ou Efarvette, Temm. Man. d'Ornith. v. 1. p. 191. Rhorsanger, Meyer, Tasschenb. v. 1. 235.-Id. Vög. Deut. 2. Heft. p. 23. Het Karrakietje, Sepp. Nederl. Vög. v. 2. p. 101. Lesser Reed-Sparrow, Will. (Ang.) p. 144. Reed-Wren, Lath. Syn. Supp. p. 184.-Mont. Ornith. Dict.-Lewin's Br. ON reference to notes made during excursions in different Periodical parts of England, I do not find that I have ever observed visitant. 3 the Reed-Wren to the north of Nottinghamshire. It is common in several of the southern and eastern counties, but is confined to such localities as afford proper covert, viz. wet ditches and fens, the margins of rivers and pools, that are overgrown by reeds and tall aquatic plants *. In these situations it passes the period of its residence with us, extending from the latter part of April to the beginning of September. Its habits are very similar to those of the SedgeWarbler, and it is equally desirous of concealment from observation; but the uniform tinge of its superior plumage, and the want of the well-defined eye-streak, are always sufficient distinction between the two species. The bill also is longer, and considerably dilated at the base. It forms its nest of the seed-tops of reeds and long grass, Nest, &c. lined with the finer parts of the first-named materials, and suspends it between a few adjoining stems. It is made so deep as entirely to conceal the bird when sitting, an instance of provident instinct to prevent the eggs from being thrown out when the supporting reeds are bowed by the force of the wind. Food. General description. MONTAGU observes, that he has seen this bird sitting on her nest, when the wind blew hard, and that every gust forced it almost to the surface of the water. It lays four or five eggs, of a greenish-white, blotched and spotted with brown and oil-green. Aquatic flies and their larvæ form the food of this species. In Holland it is very abundant. It is also found in particular districts of France and Germany; but is rare in the south of Europe. PLATE 45**. Fig. 3. Natural size. Bill rather long, strait, and dilated at the base; pale-brown. * In Kent, I have met with it plentifully on a small reedy pond at The Mote, near Igtham. Its song is varied and pleasing, with fewer of the harsh notes that prevail in that of the Sedge-Warbler, and is delivered in the same hurried manner. |