Expedition to the Zamljesi River. 77 



Adult c? (Zambesi). Total leu gtli (measured in flesh) 4-68 

 inclies, wing 2-0, culmen 04^ tail 1*98. Bill black j iris 

 orange; legs and feet brownish flesh-colour. 



Adult ? (KingwilUamstown). Wing 1-9 inch^ culmen 

 0-48, tail 2-0. 



84. Prima mystacea (Rupp.). 



Fairly common. At the end of August small flocks of 

 young birds in their first plumage, but in tlie process of 

 moult, were frequently observed. On August 26 a party 

 of these birds visited the confines of our camp, and with 

 their inordinately long tails, which were raised ever and anon 

 to a sharp angle with their bodies, they reminded us very 

 forcibly of a band of Long-tailed Tits as they flitted from one 

 low bush to another, always keeping close to tbe ground 

 in their journey, and only on being disturbed would they fly 

 up to the top of some tall tree and utter harsh little notes 

 of alarm. 



In November and December we obtained specimens in 

 adult plumage. 



Immature c? (August 26). Total length (measured in 

 flesh) 5 7 inches, wing 1"9, tail 3'2. Iris orange; bill black, 

 horn-colour at tip ; legs and feet flesh-colour. 



Adult (J (November 13). Total length (measured in 

 flesh) 5"0 inches, wing 1*86, tail 2"3. Iris orange; bill black ; 

 legs and feet flesh-colour. 



Adult ? (July 19). Wing 1-8 inch, tail 2-1. Iris orange; 

 bill black ; legs and feet flesh-colour. 



The last-named specimen had organs in breeding condition. 

 The breeding-season would therefore appear to be from May 

 onward. In August the young of the year, easily recog- 

 uizable by their long tails, are abroad, and by the end of 

 December they have practically assumed the adult plumage, 

 while in the second year breeding takes place. 



85. CiSTlCOLA LUGUBRIS (Rupp.) . 



Only once met with at Shupauga on July 7. We had 

 some difficulty in obtaining any of these handsome little 

 Cisticolas, which were then in full breeding-plumage. They 



