Birds of Southern Katnerun. 69 



2016. Calamocichla poensis. [Oto'o-Bis6ug.] 



Sharpe, Ibis, 1908, p. 318. 



The Bulu name of this bird and the scientific name of 

 the genus mean almost the same, "Otok'* being the name 

 of some of tlie common Bulbuls, and '^ bisong " meaning 

 "canes'^ of the big cane-like grass Panicum maximum. Both 

 names are appropriate, for the bird seems never to be seen 

 or heard outside the thickets of this big grass, which grows 

 ten feet high, with the stalks close together. In such 

 places it may be heard, but seldom seen, until it flits about 

 among the grass-stems to within a few feet of you, when, 

 if you shoot it, it is of no use as a specimen. Its notes 

 are peculiar, being uttered in a sort of ventriloquial voice, 

 and sound like human conversation in an undertone ; 

 sometimes they are sweet, reminding one a little of those 

 of the Angokou {Cossypha). 



2050. Prima bairdi. 



Burnesia bairdi Sharpe, Ibis, 1908, p. 326. 



This is a lively little bird of the bushes and gardens 

 about villages — lively in its movements, though generally 

 silent. It is not always silent, however, for I have seen 

 and heard it uttering a long succession of rapid notes 

 without pause like Cisticola erythrojis, as described above 

 (see p. 67). When perched on a twig, this little Prinia 

 has a way of jerking up its long tail till it points forward, 

 making an acute angle with its back. 



No. 1398 was shot in its nest, and No. 2538 was caught 

 alive in its nest. Both the nests were brought to me torn 

 from their setting, but I do not think that they were placed 

 in a sack of leaves in the manner of Cisticohi erythrops, 

 but rather set in a great tangle of di'ied herbaceous vines. 

 Both were made of dry strips of grass-leaves, with a lining 

 of grass-tops — no down. They were deep, with one side so 

 raised as to be partly roofed over, and were very large for 

 the size of the bird. The eggs found in each nest numbered 

 three. Those of one clutch all measured 17xl2'5 mm.; 

 those of the other, from 15 to 16 mm. long by 12*5 mm. broad. 



