80 Mr. B. Alexander — An Oimithological 



Named in memory of Mr. Miiller, a comrade in our expedi- 

 tiouj who died of dysentery at Tete. 



Our attention was attracted to this little Grass- Warbler 

 by its habit of frequenting the tops of tall trees and uttering 

 a few plaintive and metallic notes. 



Hab. MesananguCj Zambesi river. 



89. CiSTICOLA CINERASCENS (Hcugl.). 



Found below Tete, frequenting thick grass near the river. 

 The song is thin and screechy. 



AduH ? [lointer plumage). Wing 2*0 inches, culmen 0*4, 

 tail 2*3. Iris straw-colour ; upper mandible brown, lower 

 horn-colour. 



90. CiSTICOLA ERYTHROPS (Hartl.). 



Not common, and observed either singly or in pairs on the 

 higher reaches of the river. Unlike other Cisticolas, it keeps 

 much to the belts of fish-cane bordering the svater, and in 

 habits closely resembles a Reed- Warbler. 



Adult (November 27). Total length (measured in flesh) 

 5*2 inches, wing 2*2, tail 2*3. Iris hazel ; upper mandible 

 brown, lower horn-colour ; legs and feet flesh-colour. 



91. PiNARORNis PLUMosus Sharpc. 



It was at Mesanangue^ a small village some 30 miles above 

 Tete, that we had the good fortune to find examples of this 

 rare species, hitherto only known from the type in the 

 British Museum (see Cat. B. vii. p. 401, pi. ix.). A pair 

 were observed, and these frequented a bush-grown kopje 

 near the river and bordering a mealie-field. It was towards 

 evening when we first discovered them busy feeding among the 

 dried-up corn-stalks, and their remarkable appearance soon 

 riveted our attention. On being approached they retreated 

 quickly towards their favourite haunt among the clefts of some 

 large rocks. Both in appearance and action they reminded us 

 very much of our Blackbird. After obtaining the female 

 the male seldom showed himself, and then only to run back 

 ao-ain into his rocky retreat on our approach. Although we 

 searched carefully every nook and hollow we failed to drive 

 him out ; he must have retreated into some inaccessible hole 



