Genus SALICARIA, Selby.

Gen. Coan. Bill straight, subulate, expanded at the base, with a distinct cudmen, compressed
towards the tip, which is slightly deflected and emarginated. Tomia straight, those of
the under mandible being gently inflected. Nostrils basal, lateral, oval and exposed.
Forehead narrow and depressed. Wings rather short; the first quill nearly abortive ; the
second just shorter than the third, which is the longest of all. Tazl rather long and
rounded. Legs having the tarsi longer than the middle toe. Feet rather large and stout;
the hind toe large and strong. Claws moderately curved, long and very sharp, that of

the hind toe being double in size and strength to any of the others.

GREAT SEDGE WARBLER.
Salicaria turdoides, Selby.

Le Bec-fin rousserolle.

Unper the generic title Sylvia, Dr. Latham has included all the soft-billed birds,—an immense multitude,
differing in characters and manners. This arrangement, to a certain extent, has been adopted by M. Tem-
minck, with an advance, indeed, towards those subdivisions so imperatively demanded by the laws of nature.
The first section is that termed “ Riverains,” and comprehends a tribe whose habits lead them to frequent
the borders of lakes, marshes and rivers, where the reeds and flags afford them an asylum, their food con-
sisting of such insects as abound in these situations. The birds of this section now form the genus Salicaria
of Mr. Selby, which we concur in the propriety of thus instituting, as it is at once natural and necessary.
Of this genus the present bird may be considered a typical example ; for though larger than the other species,
yet in form, habits and manners it strictly assimilates with them, frequenting the morasses of Holland in
great abundance, as also the low flat lands of France, even in the neighbourhood of Calais, though, strange to
say, it does not appear to cross the Channel to England.

The Salicaria turdoides is a delightful warbler, whence it has obtained its specific term: its notes are
hurried and chattering, like those of the Sedge Warbler, but louder, in accordance with its superior size, and
of a richer tone.

Like the rest of the genus, its food consists of gnats, the smaller Liseddule, and other aquatic insects. Its
nest is situated among the stalks of the growing reeds, like that of our well-known Sedge Warbler. The eggs
are five in number, obtuse, greenish white spotted with black and ash colour.

There is no sexual difference of plumage,—a circumstance which characterizes nearly the whole of the
species belonging to this genus.

The upper surface, wings and tail, with the exception of a white stripe over the eye, of a uniform light
brown ; the under surface white delicately tinged with the same colour ; beak brown, darkest along the culmen
and at the tip ; tarsi light brown.

The Plate represents an adult of the natural size.

rj