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CALAMODYTA AQUATICA.

Aquatic Warbler.

Motacilla aquatica, Gmel. edit, Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. j 953
Sylvia aquatica, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. ii, p- 510. es
—— salicaria, Bechst. Nature. Deutschl., tom. iii, p. 625
— paludicola, Vieill. Nouy. Dict. d’ Hist. Nat., 2nd ene tom. xi 202
— cariceti, Naum. Vog., tom. iii. Pp. 668, tab. 82. fies. ; 3 ain
Calamodyta schenobenus, Bonap. Geog. if Birds
—_—— aquatica, Deg].
Salicaria aquatica, Keys. et Blas.
Sylvia schenobenus, Scop. Ann., tom. i. no. 235.
Acrocephalus salicarius, Naum.
Calamodus aquaticus, Cab, Mus. Hein., Theil i, p. 39.

& Comp. List of Birds of Eur. and N, Am., D> 12),

ee

Iwo, if not more, examples of this species having been kille
it in the present work, after which, from the better
doubtless hear of other examples being taken ;

d in England, it becomes necessary to include
acquaintance with the species thereby afforded, we shall
: ; A for the accurate figure here given can scarcely fail to stimulate
our young ornithologists to scrutinize more closely the small reed-loving Warblers which come from distant
lands to spend the summer with us. Of the result of such a search I have no doubt; but it must be most
carefully made; otherwise the difference between the present species and the merry little Chat (Calamodyta
phragmitis), figured in the preceding Plate, when seen among the reeds, will scarcely be perceptible. So
far from the occurrence of the Calamodyta aquatica in this country being remarkable, the wonder is that a
bird which, during summer, frequents the marshes of Dieppe and in the neighbourhood of Lille, and
which is somewhat common, in all localities suited to its habits, between Holland and the Mediterranean,
should not be more frequently found in our islands: but whether scarce or common, I deem its occurrence
bere a fortunate circumstance ; for it is a very pretty species, and a valuable addition to our avifauna. A
bird from America which has been driven out to sea, and by chance alighted on the British Islands, has
far less claims to our notice than a European migrant which comes and goes as regularly as the Swallow.

Of the habits and economy of this bird I know nothing from personal observation ; after stating, therefore,
where it has been killed in England, I must seek for information respecting them in the writings of Con-
tinental authors and those of our countrymen who have visited the shores of Northern Algeria, where the
bird probably winters.

The first recorded instance of the occurrence of the Aquatic Warbler in England will be found in the
‘Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London’ for 1866, where it is stated that on the 8th of May in
that year Mr. Alfred Newton exhibited, from the collection of William Borrer, Esq., a specimen which
was killed on the 19th of October, 1853, in an old brick-pit a little to the west of Hove, near Birghton.
It was observed creeping about amongst the old grass and reeds, and was seen by Mr. Borrer just after
it was skinned.

For the knowledge of a second British example we are indebted to J. E. Harting, Esq., who, in the
‘ Zoologist ’ for 1867, after remarking that he was unfortunately prevented from attending the meeting
above mentioned, but, while on a visit to Mr. Borrer, had ample opportunity of examining the specimen,
says, ‘I was much struck with its similarity to a bird in my own collection, which I had received from ie
neighbourhood of Loughborough two years previously, and which I had put ale to be named, not being
acquainted with the species. On my return home I carefully oes this specimen, and, i cons
paring it with the plate in Dr. Bree’s ‘Birds of Europe,’ entertained little ee of its va Salicaria
To make sure, however, that I was not mistaken, I sent the bird for examination to the

aquatica. ae :
To my note which accom-

Rey. H. B. Tristram, who is so well acquainted with the avifaune of Europe. |
panied it his reply was as follows :—‘ There is no doubt about your Salicaria Se - a me 7 a
plumage, and therefore may be a bird of the year. The mature bird, in breeding-plumage, has not the spots
' There is no difference between the sexes.’

on the breast and flanks.
in Leicestershire, during the summer of 1864, and

“The specimen was obtained near Loughborough, ee
ss 5 © wu PACS + . . es
was sent to me by a friend under the impression that it was a Grasshopper Warbler a
ty ( species in his ‘ Birds urope not
I must now quote from my friend Dr. Bree, whose account of the species in his ‘ Birds o |
- ; e ; ope h ; on : s . . ;
found in the British Islands,’ comprises nearly all that is known respecting 1t