Mr. T. Ay res on Trans- Vaal Omithulogij. 151 



80. (L. 158.) DiiYMoecA chiniana, Smith. Kurichaae Dry- 

 moeca. 



Total length 6 inches; iris light brown. 



This species is common in many localities on the Limpopo. 



[Mr. Ayres, in addition to the normal specimens of this Dry- 

 mceca which he collected, forwarded an example of a pale variety, 

 respecting which he says : — " The only one I have seen ; it flew 

 actively from tree to tree, and I had some difficulty in getting 

 a shot at it; the stomach contained small insects." — J. H. G.] 



81. (L. 150.) Drymceca ocularia, Smith. Rufous-cheeked 

 Drymoeca. 



Mo/e.— Total length 5| inches, bill il, wing 1|, tail 2| ; 

 iris hazel, bill black, tarsi and feet dusky pale. 



Female. — Total length 5|, tarsus yf, tail 2|, bill and wings 

 as in male. 



There is very little difference in plumage between the sexes ; 

 but the rufous patch on the cheeks is much lighter in the female 

 than in the male. 



I first met with this species amongst the low bushes on the 

 banks of the Vaal River, and between that and the Hartz River, 

 where they were pretty plentiful, hopping briskly about amongst 

 the thickets, with the active habits common to most birds of this 

 genus. 



82. (L. 156.) Drymoeca ruficapilla. Smith. Rufous- 

 headed Drymoeca. 



Total length 4^ inches; tarsi and feet pale; iris light brown. 

 The heel in this bird bends curiously forward with the front 

 toe, as if out of joint, or double-jointed. 

 This species inhabits low scrub. 



83. (L. 159.) CisTicoLA terrestris (Smith). Ground Cis- 

 ticole. 



Total length 4j inches; iris light brown. 



These little birds live among" the long grass, and appear to 

 move most in the evening, about sunset, lying quiet in the heat 

 of the day ; they are generally to be seen three or four together. 



[This species is a typical Cisticola, the tail consisting of twelve 

 rectrices ; and it seems very closely allied to Cisticola cursitans 



