88 Dr. vou Ilcuglin on Ike Malurinse 



Brehm says that he found this species very abundantly upon the 

 plateau of Mensa (4000 to 6000 feet) ; but in opposition to my 

 friend's statement, it is of this species that I would least of all 

 assert that it is "a Sedge-Warbler in its whole being and 

 nature." Its song, call-note, general mode of life, and dwelling- 

 place show, in accordance with the peculiar form of the bill and 

 formation of the wings and tail, that Drymceca and Calamoherpe 

 are not so very nearly allied. Indeed I am inclined to think 

 that Brehm had not this species before him at all. I know 

 this exceedingly delicate little bird, easily distinguishable at the 

 first glance by its long black rectrices from all its allies, only as 

 a rare inhabitant of the coast-region ; and if it were " very 

 abundant" in Mensa, its occurrence there could not possibly 

 have escaped me. 



Found also on the Gaboon (Du Chaillu). 



7. Drymceca mystacea. 



DrymcBca mystacea, Riipp., Syst. Ueb. No. 123 and tab. 10; 

 Heugl., Syst. Ueb. No. 167; Bp., Consp. Av. i. p. 283. Drymoeca 

 affinis, Smith, 111. Zool. S. Afr. tab. 77 (?) ; Hartl., W. Afr. 

 No. 166 (etNo. 167?). 



Supra ex cinerascente fulvida, alse tectricibus et tertiariis magis 

 fumosis et conspicue ochraceo marginatis ; uropygio fulve- 

 scenti-albido ; tectricibus caudse superioribus ochraceis ; 

 rectricibus valde augustatis et elongatis pallide fuinosis, 

 dorsi colore lavatis et marginatis, extimis pallidioribus, sub- 

 albicaatibus, omnibus ante apicem sordide albidum macula 

 obsoletiore nigricanti-fumosa notatis : subtus albicans, la- 

 teraliter magis fulvescente adumbrata; ciliis albidis; loris 

 et stria supraoculari pallide fulvescentibus ; macula ante- 

 oculari obsoleta fumosa ; remigibus fuligiuoso fumosis, 

 pogonio externo delicate rufescente fulvo, iuterno basin 

 versus pallide fulvo marginatis ; rostro cerino flavicante, 

 pedibus rubellis ; iride pallide umbrina. 

 Long. tot. 4" 7"'-5", rostr. a fr. 4"'-4-9"', al. 1" 9i"'-l" H'", 



caud. 2" 64'", tars. 9'"-9i'". 



In many specimens the bill is more mouse- coloured, with an 

 olive-greyish tint. 



This species is pretty widely distributed in North-east 

 Africa; it was observed by us in Central and Southern 



