290 Mr. T, Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal. 



between these two birds is precisely the same in character as 

 that between A. streperus and A. palustris. I find, also, that 

 A. bceticatus is a trifle the smaller bird : my smallest mea- 

 surement of length of wing is 2*18 inches, a second skin mea- 

 sures 2"2, four others 2*25, six others 2*3, one other 2"33, two 

 others 2*38, one other 2*4, and the largest 2"48 ; in A. dume- 

 toru7n my smallest measurement of length of wing is 2*33, 

 two others measure 2*35, seven others 2*4, five others 2*45, 

 one other 2*48, and the four largest 2*5 . . . . 



'' The difference of the nesting-habits of the two birds, if 

 verified by future observations (compare 'Ibis,' 18G9, p. 291, 

 with 'Stray Feathers,' 1875, p. 352), is additional evidence 

 of their distinctness ; and the fact oi A. hoiticatus breeding in 

 Africa is strong evidence that it does not leave that country 

 for this purpose." 



In addition to Mr. Ayres's description of the nesting of A. 

 hmticatus, referred to by Mr. Seebohm in the above remarks, 

 some further notes on the same subject will be found in the 

 second edition of Layard's ' Birds of South Africa,' p. 290. — 

 J. H. G.] 



Bradypterus gracilirostris (Hartl.). White-breasted 

 Reed-Warbler. 



This is the most plentiful of our Heed- Warblers, and the 

 principal songster ; it may be heard pretty constantly, and 

 must be looked for almost only amongst the reeds bordering 

 our rivers and small streams, being only now and then found 

 amongst the sedges. 



CiSTicoLA CHiNiANA (Smith). Kurichane Fantail. 

 This species frequents the rocky ranges near Potchefstroom ; 

 in its food it does not confine itself to very small insects. 

 Measurements of two males and three females : — 



Total 



length. Wing. Bill. Tarsus. Tail, 



in. in. in. in. in. 



S , shot 6th June 5| 2^ f | 2| (barely) 



c^, shot in August 2^ f- | 2^0 



$, shot April 23rd 2 -^ {} K^Pe^-fect 



-^ ' r 1 G 1 j fpom moult) 



$ , shot May 28th 5J 2| f^ ^f 2\ 



$ , shot June 6th bh 2^ iV f 2^ 



