82 Mr. B. Alexander — An Ornithological 



93. LOCUSTELLA FLUVIATILIS (Wolf) . 



It is interesting to have obtained this European Warbler so 

 far soutli as the Zambesi, since it was hitherto only known 

 to winter in the north of Africa. 



Our single specimen was sliot on Christmas D.iy inatliick 

 belt of reeds near the river. It was silently threading the 

 fish-cane in company with several Reed- Warblers [Lusciniola 

 gracilirostris) . 



The exact locality was 30 miles above Zumbo, on the 

 river. 



The specimen obtained was a female, iris brown. 



91. AcROCEPHALUs ARUNDiNACEus (Linn.). 



It was towards evening on Nov. 21 , after a storm, that we 

 first observed near Zumbo the Great Reed-Warbler. 



As is often the case in the Tropics after rain, the reed-beds 

 suddenly became alive with birds, chiefly Reed-Warblers and 

 Weavers, and though dusk had almost fallen these birds found 

 time to rejoice, making their jn'csence known by their voices, 

 each in its separate key. 



The gruff croak of: the Great Reed- Warbler would come 

 from somewhere in the middle of the thick reeds, and this was 

 but a prelude to its song, for the next moment the bird would 

 suddenly appear, scaling gracefully some prominent reed in 

 order to gain its top, wbence to utter its loud Sedge- Warbler- 

 like song, wdiile in the lowest depths the Weavers, without 

 ever stopping to take breath, poured out their running 

 voluble chatter. And though the silence of the lonely reed- 

 beds was marred by all these bird noises, it was at times 

 enlivened by the exquisite song of Lusciniola gracilirostris, 



95. AcROCEPHALUS PALUSTRIS (Bcchst.). 



Adult ^ (Dec. 23, near Zumbo). Total length (measured 

 ip flesh) 5*4 inches, wing 2"5. Iris brown; upper mandible 

 brown, lower horn-colour; legs fleshrColour; feet greenish 

 brown, pads yellow ; throat orange. 



Adult S (Dee. 26). Total length (measured ip flesh) 

 ^•1 inches, wing 2*56. 



