92 Dr. von Heusliu on the Maluriuse 



o' 



Abundant, in pairs, in Egypt northwards nearly to the Medi- 

 terranean, in Arabia Petrsea, Nubia, Takah, and the Bogos coun- 

 try, particularly abundant along the Nile and its canals, in gar- 

 dens, hedges, acacia- and palm- groves, reeds and tall grass, is 

 a permanent resident and breeds in Nubia in June, July, and 

 August, but much earlier in Egypt. The small, elegant, and 

 rather deep nest, which is constructed of dry grass-stalks and 

 rootlets and lined with the wool of plants and hairs, is placed 

 low down in palm-bushes and thorny shrubs. The three or 

 four eggs are 6'" to 7'" long, and 5'" in breadth, spotted and 

 marbled all over, upon a white ground, with light yellowish- or 

 rusty-brown, while in general a dense ring of darker spots sur- 

 rounds the larger end. 



This elegant species is a very lively little bird, which ap- 

 pears to quit its station very unwillingly. Thus it dwells 

 harmlessly in the bushes, climbs dexterously up and down the 

 grass-stalks, and glides and hops briskly through the thicket ; 

 sometimes it descends upon the ground and runs about seeking 

 insects among the herbage. The tail is generally carried high, 

 and sometimes expanded, especially when the bird calls, or emits 

 its loud, ringing and metallic song. The call-note may nearly 

 be represented by " quick-quick." The males seem to be of a 

 very jealous nature, and often pursue each other with cries, and 

 fight whilst flying in circles. 



Found also in Syria, Asia Minor, and India. Dr. Hartlaub's 

 statement that this species occurs on the Senegal rests on an error. 



10. Drymceca pulchella. 



Prinia pulchella, Riipp., Atl. tab. 35 a. Drymceca jmkhella, 

 Rupp., Syst. Ueb. No. 118; Heugl., Syst. Ueb. No. 177. D. syl- 

 vietta, Heugl., J. f. 0. 1863, p. 165 ; Bp., Consp. Av. i. p. 283. 



Supra ohvaceo murina, genis et gastr^o pallide subsulfureis ; 

 loris striaque superciliari pallidis, aurantiaco-flavo lavatis ; 

 alis dilute fuscescenti-cinerascentibus, tertiariis secun- 

 dariis et tectricibus pallide subolivascenti-marginatis ; rec- 

 tricibus nigricanti-fuliginosis et delicate fasciolatis, extima 

 pogonio externo vix toto maculaque apicali cuneiformi albis; 

 sequentibus extus albo-marginatis, apice macula triquetra 

 alba plus minusve distincta notatis ; mcdianis concolonbus ; 



