288 NuMTATES ZOOLOGICAK XXV. 1918. 



4. *Cisticola chubbi Sharpe (Chubb's Plaiu-ba'ked Grass Warbler). 



cJ 1, ? 1, 9 imm. 1. Apparently a cominoii bird in this district. They 

 are very like C. r. cmini, but are much paler on tlic back, more greyish, and the 

 brown on the hind neck is more sharply differentiated. 



The young birds, however, are difficult to distinguish. 



They were nesting in May. 



5. Cisticola ruJa Fraser ? (Little Brown-backed Grass Warbler). 



? 1. This single female specimen appears to be midway between C. riifa 

 and C. calamoherpe, but lacks the striated head of the latter, and is smaller. 



6. Schoenicola apicalis Cab. ( I'an-tailed Reed Warbler). 



(J 2. A very fine pair, rather more brown on the back than Nairobi speci- 

 mens, but this no doubt is due to the plumage being fresh. 



7. Bradypterus centralis Neum. (Speckled- breasted Swamp Warbler). 



tJ 3, $ 1. I have before me a series of 37 skins, with wings varjdng from 

 53 to 59 mm. Four specimens from Elgon district arc rather whiter on the 

 underside than birds from Nairobi district, the olive-brown wash of the sides of 

 the chest not so distinct and not nioeting in the centre. Tliree of the specimens 

 show just a trace of speckling on the lower throat, the other a few narrow black 

 shaft streaks. 



In the large series from Nairobi area, no two birds aie alike in regard to this 

 speckUng, nor yet do they agree in the colour of the fianks, which varies from 

 a yellowish brown to grey-brown, or even red-brown. 



These birds were procured in the reed beds of swamps and rivers and arc 

 shy and difficult to procure unless one lies in wait for them. 



Though shy, they are full of curiosity and will come to the tops of the reeds 

 to look around, and it is then that they can be obtained. 



8. Bradypterus cinnamomeus salvadorii Neum. ? (Rufous Swamp Warbler). 



<J 3, ? 2. These birds, according to information suppUed me by Dr. Har- 

 tert, are very close to B. c. salvadorii, but the tails are much darker. The 

 crown is almost uniform in colour with the back. The wing measurements 

 vary from 65-68 mm. 



These birds are quite distinct from B. cinnamomeus from Kikuyu and Mau. 



They are not common, though frequently heard. They inhabit the same 

 swamps as the preceding species. 



9. Prinia mystacea Riipp. (White-eyebrowed Bush Warbler). 

 ? 1 . Common on the lower hills by the edges of forest land. 



10. Prinia reichenowi Hartl. (Reichenow's White-throated Bush Warbler). 

 cJ 1, $ 1. Common in the for^ts and in the forest clearings. 



