Exp edition to tha Zambesi River. 83 



96. AcROCEPiiALUs B.ETicATus (VieiU.). 



We obtained our first specimen near Zumbo on Nov. 31. 

 It appears not to be a resident on the Zambesi. 



The song of the male is very screechy in tone^ and resembles 

 that of our Reed-Warbler {A. streperus). 



Adult (Dec. 3). Total length (measured in flesh) 4'5 inches, 

 wing 2"3. Iris hazel; upper mandible brown, lower pinkish 

 horn-colour; legs and feet greenish. 



97. ACROCEPHALUS PHRAGMITIS (BccllSt.). 



First obtained on Dec. 3, near Zumbo, while two weeks 

 later (Dec. 17) we found quite anural)er of these birds in the 

 thick undergrowth near the river. They were singing lustily, 

 reminding us very much of the reed-beds at home. 



98. Hypolais icterina (Vieill.). 



A female specimen shot at Zumbo on Dec. 14. 



Adult $ . Total length (measured in flesh) o'G inches, wing 

 3. Iris brown ; upper mandible brown^ lower yellowish horn- 

 colour; legs and feet slate-colour. 



99. Phylloscopus trochilus (Linn.). 

 A specimen shot on Nov. 9 at Zumbo, 



From my notebook (Nov. 13) : — " The rain of the last 

 two days has made a wonderful difference in the singing of 

 the birds. The thickets have like magic burst out into leaf, 

 while after a shower they are filled with bird-voices. With 

 this sudden breaking-out of leaf, the Willow- Wren has 

 appeared and also the Garden-Warbler. The song of the 

 former is load and strong ; in fact everything points to the 

 near approach of an African spring.'^ 



100. Sylvia hortensis (Bechst.). 

 One obtained on Nov. 12 at Zumbo, 



101. Erythropygia zambesiana (Sharpp). 



Sir John Kirk obtained the type of this species at Tete, 

 below which it appears not to occur, for it was not till after 

 leaving that place that we procured our first specimen. This 

 graceful little Ch it-Thrush is i>ot at all common, its distri- 

 bution being decidedly local, 



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