Page:The British Warblers A History with Problems of Their Lives - 7 of 9.djvu/97

 Asia it breeds in Asia Minor—Tristram says also in Palestine, but this requires confirmation—and seems to pass through Persia on migration; while to the south it is resident in Algeria, Morocco and Tunis. As a species it is found not only in Transcaspia, Turkestan, the Kirghiz Steppes and Volga mouth in the west, but also in the Argun, the oases of Central Asia. North and Central China, Korea and Japan. These races, however, differ subspecifically. It winters in Africa as far south as the Transvaal and Natal, and migrates through the Malay Peninsula to the Sunda Islands, Andamans, and Philippines.

Of the habits of this species I can add little or nothing that is new, my acquaintance with the bird being limited to occasional visits to its haunts. It is to be found where the common reed grows in profusion, in the dense masses of which it is readily concealed. Arriving at its breeding haunts towards the end of April, it is supposed not to commence reproduction until approximately a month later. No doubt there is a variation in this respect comparable to that which obtains in the case of the Reed Warbler; some individuals arrive early, and possibly commence to breed without much delay; others may be later, accustomed perhaps to build their nests in the new growth of reeds. Even as late as the second week in June individuals can still be seen busily engaged in the construction of their nest. The powerful song and the comparatively large size of the bird make it a conspicuous figure as it flies from place to place, bending down the reeds with its weight, and tend to impart a measure of boldness to its behaviour, which does not seem to me to be altogether merited. My experience is that the bird is shy and retiring, only too anxious to conceal itself in the jungle of reeds as one approaches it closely. When undisturbed it climbs to the top of some reed, and pours out its peculiar croaking song.