72 Mr. G. L. Bates — Field-Notes on the 



My specimens were obtained in snares baited witli termites, 

 along with birds of the genera Alethe, Turdinus, Bleda, 

 Neocossyphus, &c. Young birds have spots on the wing- 

 coverts, as have those of Alethe. 



Sylviella batesi. 



Sharpe, Ibis, 1908, p. 319. 



Both my specimens of this species were caught or shot 

 in their nests. The male (which had the testes very large) 

 seemed to be sitting. The two nests were alike, and 

 resembled those of some other small Warblers in being 

 pocket-shaped ; but in materials and structure they were 

 peculiar. These small pockets were made of short leaf- 

 petioles, not woven togetlier, but held together loosely by 

 gossamer-threads (of spider^s or caterpillar's web) I'unning ail 

 among them, and extending up over the twig so as to form 

 the attachment, which is not at one point of the twig, but 

 extends along for several inches. Thus the whole structure 

 is as flexible as a knitted bag. All over the outside are 

 many particles of trash hanging to the gossamer-threads, 

 that tremble at the slightest breath. Inside the bag are 

 a few fibres for nest-lining, A single egg was found in each 

 nest; the two were just alike, except in size, one measuring 

 19 X 12 mm., and the other 16*5 x 11 mm. 



[Two eggs are of a long pointed oval form and devoid 

 of gloss. The ground-colour is yellowish-clay, thickly 

 mottled all over with umber-brown and grey, the markings 

 being more or less clouded and indistinct. — O.-G.] 



2124. Sylviella virens. 



Sharpe, Ibis, 1908, p. 319. 



Two of my female specimens were caught in their nests, 

 which were suspended in the bushes or grass. The nest 

 is a nicely constructed little pocket like that of a Sunbird. 

 In one nest were three or four tiny eggs, which got broken 

 when the bird was caught ; it could be seen^ however, that 

 they were speckled on a wliite ground. 



