LUSCINID^. 83 



further south, on the west coast aud within the Cape 

 Colony, I have frequently met with it ; and in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Cape Town it is exceedingly common, a 

 pair or two inhabiting almost every garden. 



It is found singly or in pairs ; and its whereabouts is 

 easily discovered by the harsh querulous notes that it is 

 in the habit of uttering almost incessantly. It builds in 

 low bushes ; and the nest is composed of moss, wool, and 

 other soft material, which is artistically and strongly 

 put together. This species feeds on insects, searching 

 for them either on the ground or amongst the low 

 bushes which form its favourite resort; it runs with 

 great rapidity along the ground, and steals through 

 tangled foliage with equal celerity. The iris is yellow, 

 bill brown, and legs pale flesh-colour. 



Measurements of a female : — 



in. lin. 



Entire length 5 



Length, of folded wing 1 10 



„ tarsus 10 



„ middle toe 5 



tail 2 8 



biU 8 



[Mr. Sharpe possesses a specimen of this Drymoica, obtained 

 by Mr. Andersson in Little Namaqua Land. — Ed.] 



103. Drymoica affinis, Smith. Allied Drymoica. 



Dnjmoicd affinis, Smith's Zool. of S. Africa, pi. 77. fig. 1. 



„ „ Layard's Cat. No. 154. 



Bnjmceca affinis, Sharpe's Cat. No. 276. 



[Specimens of this Drymoica, obtained at Ovaquenyama l)y 

 Mr. Andersson, are in the possession of Mr. R. B. Sharpe. 

 -Ed.] 



G 2 



