TURDIDAE-WARBLERS. 87
History (12. v. 310) were copied from specimens taken in this neighbourhood."
Henry Doubleday, writing in 1831, says (20) " I never till this summer saw the
Reed Wren living, but in July I saw it in plenty by the side of a brook at Sudbury, in
Suffolk, and got a good pair. A friend of mine [Mr. Grubb]* * * found two nests,
beautifully placed over the water, between three or four reeds." He also records
(23. 13) that a single specimen " was shot at a pond close by the town [of Epping]
in 1835, which is the only individual I have seen here." Of the Epping district,
Edward Doubleday wrote (15) in 1835:—"I am not aware of its being found near
any of the rivers around us. It is common at Sudbury." It occurs in both the
Colchester and Paglesham districts (Laver). Round Orsett, where it is called
the " Reedchat," it is " fairly plentiful in the reed-beds and 'fleets'" (Sackett).
Round Harwich, it is common, and breeds abundantly in the large reed-beds
beside the stream locally known as the Dock River, and also in the Little Oakley
Marshes (Kerry). Mr. Fitch has found several nests at Maldon. Lieut. Legge
writing from South Shoebury in 1865, says (23. 9838) :—
" Great numbers of this lively little bird frequent the reeds, which grow in great
profusion in the dykes intersecting the marshes in the vicinity of this coast. They
are very plentiful in Canvey Island, and thread their way among the reed-beds,
hopping from one stalk to another with great rapidity. About May 15th, they
begin to build." He adds a careful description of the nest, of which he says, " I
have found half-a-dozen in a space of a few hundred yards."
[Marsh Warbler: Acrocephalus palustris.
A regular, though uncommon, summer visitor to the southern counties
of England, especially to Somersetshire. It may be commoner than is
generally supposed, as it is very closely allied to the Reed Warbler,
from which it has only recently been distinguished in this country. The
only actual record I have of its occurrence in the county is not a
very satisfactory one. Mr. Joseph Clarke informs me that there is in
the Saffron Walden Museum a bird which was shot and stuffed, about
thirty years ago, by the late Mr. Stephen Salmon of Wendens Ambo,
probably near the rivulet there. It was labelled " Reed Warbler," but
Mr. Clarke considers it to be of this species. Mr. James Backhouse,
junr., who has compared it with a genuine specimen of the Reed War-
bler in his collection, says that although there are slight differences, he
should hesitate before accepting it as a genuine Marsh Warbler, especi-
ally as the specimen is old and much faded, and therefore very difficult
to distinguish from the very nearly-allied Reed Warbler. The bird
is, however, likely to be met with in Essex.]
[Great Reed Warbler: Acrocephalus turdoides.
A rare and accidental visitor to Britain, which is recorded once to
have been met with in Essex in the breeding season, though on such
very doubtful authority that it seems in every way best to reject the
record. Mr. J. Green, Naturalist, 1, East Road, City Road, writes (? to
Ed. Newman—23. 4014) : " The specimen of the Thrush Warbler, which
you saw in the flesh, was caught at Dagenham, in Essex, on June 16th,
1853." Newton considers (37. i. 365) that, although Green was well-
known to be a dealer, as the specimen was " shown when in the flesh to
competent judges," there is no reason to doubt its authenticity, though
he admits that Gould's warning (Birds of Great Britain) should not be
neglected. However, as Green was known to deal largely in birds from
Holland and elsewhere on the continent, where the bird is common, it
seems best to reject the record.]
Sedge Warbler : Acrocephalus phragmitis. Locally, " Night-
warbler " (Maldon—E. A. F).
A very common summer visitor, frequenting the sides of ponds,