196 H.W.James 



it is very conspicuous and I am sorry to say often gets 

 destroyed by native children. I have recorded it nesting 

 in the months of Oct., Nov., Jan., Feb., March and 

 April. The text books give the number of eggs laid by this 

 species as seven. Personally I have never found more than 

 five and this number in one instance only. I have examined 

 numbers of nests and with the one exception mentioned, have 

 never found more than four eggs or young birds. 



Cisticola subruficapilla (Grey-backed Grass-Warbler). — This 

 species is found in both districts but is rather uncommon. 



Cisticola terrestris (Wren Grass-Warbler) . — This is a common 

 species in both districts. It is very partial to lucerne lands 

 often nesting in the growing lucerne. I have recorded it 

 nesting in November. 



Prinia h^poxantha (Saffron-breasted Warbler). — This is a very 

 common warbler in both districts especially Cradock. It 

 builds its neat little oval-shaped nest in long grass or a low 

 bush in the months of Sept., Oct. and sometimes in March, 

 April and August. 



Apalis ocularia (Rufous-eared Wren Warbler). — This is an 

 exceedingly common Warbler in both districts. It is only 

 found out on the treeless flats keeping right away from the 

 bush. It builds a very neat oval-shaped nest of dead grass 

 lining it with silky seeds and a few feathers. The nest 

 is placed in a small bush and is rarely more than six inches 

 above the ground. The eggs are four in number and plain, 

 unspotted, pale blue in colour. I have records of nests 

 found in the months of Oct., Nov., Dec, Jan., March and 

 April. 



Apalis thoracica (Bar-throated Wren- Warbler). — I have only 

 observed this species in the Cradock district where it is no- 

 where common. I have found it nesting in that district in 

 September and October. 



S}flvietta rufescens (Crombec).— This Warbler is fairly com- 

 mon in both districts. It builds a beautiful, pendulant nest 

 of cobwebs and a lining of fine roots. The outside of the 



