from the Colony of Natal. 325 



199. Drym(B€A pallida, Smith. Pallid Drymoeca. 



[Mr. Ayres does not furnish any particulars respecting this 

 species. — J. H. G.] 



200. CisTicoLA AYRESii, Hartl., sp. nov. (PI. VIII. fig. 2.) 

 Ayres's Cisticole. 



Male and female. Iris light brown ; upper mandible dark 

 hazel ; under mandible pale ; nostrils rather large and oval ; 

 tarsi and feet pale. 



These birds are common in the open country, frequenting 

 much shorter grass than that frequented by Drymceca curviros- 

 tris. Their nest is very beautifully constructed, amongst the fine 

 stalks of grass, which are drawn together towards the top, a sort 

 of purse or bag being made of the finest and whitest down and 

 spiders' webs and attached at the sides to the grass which sur- 

 rounds it, the opening being on the top. On any intruder ap- 

 proaching the nest, the birds generally mount overhead with a 

 flitting eccentric flight, watching with anxiety the fate of their 

 domicile. Their flight is tolerably strong ; and when they have 

 been disturbed once or twice, it is sometimes a difficult matter 

 to get within shot of them. 



[Dr. Hartlaub writes to me with reference to this species : — 

 "The little Cisticola is new; it is distinguished from the Cisti- 

 cola of Southern Europe, not only by much higher colours, but 

 (what is much more important) considerably larger feet (the 

 tarsi being shorter). 



" The female of Cisticola europcea has never such a bright tint 

 of yellow on the under part. 



" As there is no doubt as to its being new, I have chosen for it 

 the name of ayresii." 



This species, to which Dr. Hartlaub has appropriately affixed 

 the name of my friend Mr. Ayres, is figured in the accompany- 

 ing plate from a female specimen in which the yellowish abdo- 

 minal tint is more strongly marked than it is in another female 

 which Mr. Ayres also transmitted, and which closely resembles 

 the male bird. Dr. Hartlaub has favoured me with the follow- 

 ing diagnosis of Cisticola ayresii: — 



" Simillima Cisiicolce europece ex Hispauia, sed diversa coloribus 



