MARSH WARBLER.

Salicaria palustris.

Le Bec-fin verderolle.

In its general contour this little bird so closely assimilates to the Sadcaria hirundinacea, that it would be
impossible from the simple examination of preserved specimens to discover that they are specifically distinct :
in their habits and manners and in the places to which they resort they are also very similar; but the yellow
lining of the mouth, the enlarged size of the bill, and the greener tint of the plumage, are points by which
the Marsh Warbler may at all times be distinguished from its near ally. ‘Another characteristic of this
species,” says M. Temminck, “is its song, which is singularly varied ; it has also considerable powers of
mimicry, and readily imitates the song of other birds most completely, particularly that of Sylva hippolais, as
well as the notes of Charadrius minor, and the piercing cry of the Hematopus ostralegus.”

It generally inhabits humid and marshy situations in the neighbourhood of water, bordered with willows
and reed-beds, but is also frequently observed perched upon the high stems of hemp and bushes. It is
common in all the middle parts of Europe, and is abundant on the banks of the Po and the Danube, and also
in some parts of Switzerland, Germany, and Holland.

The nest is constructed with much art, is of a spherical form, and is placed on the ground among the roots
of willows, reeds, and bushes; the eggs are four or five in number, of a clear ash, covered with spots of a
bluish ash.

Its food consists of insects and small berries.

Crown of the head, all the upper surface, wing-coverts, secondaries, and tail greenish olive ; primaries
blackish brown ; stripe over the eye, throat, and all the under surface yellowish olive ; bill yellow at the base,
black at the tip; feet lead colour.

We have figured an adult of the natural size.