[Illustration: THE SEDGE WARBLER (_Calomodus phragmitis_).]
The SEDGE WARBLER (_Calamodus phragmitis_) is about five inches and a
half long, and eight and a quarter broad; the wing measures two and a
quarter, and the tail two inches. The plumage on the upper portion of
the body is yellowish brown, spotted with dark brown, the under side a
reddish white; a yellow streak passes over the eyes, and the posterior
quills have light edges. The eye is brown, the beak brownish black,
except at its margins, and the base of the under mandible, which are
of a light yellowish red; the foot is dirty yellow. In the young, the
mantle is reddish grey and the under side reddish yellow, spotted on the
region of the crop with dark grey or brown. This species inhabits all
the European countries that extend from 68° north latitude as far as
Greece and Spain, usually arriving in April and leaving again in October,
when it wanders as far as Northern Africa. In the latter continent
it is often seen upon the plains covered with _halfa_ grass, but in
Europe it always frequents such marshy districts as are overgrown with
rushes, sedge, grass, and small-leafed water plants. Its flight is very
unsteady, but in other respects its movements are unusually nimble and
agile; the song is pleasing, flute-like, and very varied. Except during
the period of incubation, which commences in June, these birds usually
lead a very retired life amid the beds of grass or rushes, but at the
latter season they emerge, and take up their quarters on the surrounding
trees and bushes, where they engage in a series of vocal concerts, each
inspired with the hope of outdoing its numerous rivals in the favour
of some attractive female. Should any one of the feathered competitors
venture to intrude upon the same branch as the energetic singer he is at
once driven with much violence from the spot, to prevent a repetition
of the offence. During the whole time that the female broods the male
bird exhibits the same anxious desire to please her, and is often heard
gaily carolling from dawn of day till far into the night. "The song,"
says Mudie, "is hurried but varied, not so much in the single stave as
in its having several of them, which would lead one to imagine that
there were several birds. It sings in the throat, and gives a sort of
guttural twist to all it utters." At times, in his excitement, he rises
rapidly into the air, and, after hovering for a few moments with wings
raised high above the body, slowly descends or drops, like a stone, to
the spot whence he ascended. At this period of the year, not only the
manner of flight, but the whole nature of the male bird seems changed,
and he exhibits a fearlessness that contrasts strangely with his usual
cautious and timid demeanour. Like other members of this family, the
Sedge Warbler subsists principally upon insects, and occasionally devours
various kinds of berries. The nest, which is placed amongst clumps of
sedge, grass, or rushes, on marshy ground, at not more than a foot and a
half from its surface, is firmly suspended to the surrounding stalks, and
formed of hay, stubble, roots, and green moss, woven thickly and firmly
together, and lined with horsehair, feathers, and delicate blades of
grass. The eggs, from four to six in number, are of a dirty white, more
or less shaded with green, and spotted and streaked or marbled with
brownish grey. Both parents assist in the labour of incubation, and hatch
the young in about thirteen days, if undisturbed; but, if molested, they
frequently desert the nest, and at once commence preparations for another
brood. At first, the female alone appears to feel solicitude or care for
her eggs, her mate usually amusing himself until they are hatched, by
singing and fluttering about throughout the entire day, and exhibiting
no distress, even should both mother and brood be removed or destroyed.
No sooner, however, have the nestlings left the shell than his interest
is awakened, and he tends and protects them with anxious care. The young
quit the nest as soon as they are fledged, and run like mice about the
surrounding stalks, until they are strong enough to fly.
[Illustration: _Plate 20, Cassell's Book of Birds_