Birds of Gn:alun(l. 79 



Thirteen specimens measured in the flesh varied in length 

 from 4*75 (an exceptionally small bird) to 5'75 inches, 

 and averaged 5'32. Their stomachs contained small flies, 

 grasshoppers, termites, ants, and especially small beetles. 



111. CisTicoLA RUFA. Fraser^s Grass-Warbler. 



P. I first saw this small Warbler at the Zinynmbo pools 

 on November 25th, 1906, flying from one low bush to 

 another continually ; twice between that place and the 

 Umtefu River during the next two days ; again at the 

 TJmtefu in January 1907 ; and at Maugunde's, 12 miles 

 east of Chibabava, on the 17th of December. The last was a 

 female, which I secured after watching it for some time, M'hile 

 lying under the shade of a low bush awaiting my carriers. It 

 ■was a most vivacious little bird, never still for an instant and 

 accompanying every movement with rapid jerks of the tail 

 as it searched for insects within four feet of my face. Later 

 in the same month I noted it at Inyamita. All these 

 instances, with only one exception, were of solitary birds, 

 presumably mostly males, their mates being probably 

 engaged at the time in incubating. 



My two specimens measured 41 and 4"2 inches respec- 

 tively in the flesh. The upper mandible was brown, the 

 gonys paler with a whitish base, and the feet were in each 

 case pale brownish flesh-colour ; irides '' deep ochreous " and 

 *' light golden brown,^' the same colour being probably 

 referred to in each case. The stomachs contained small 

 beetles and other insect debris. 



112. CisTicoLA iNATALENSis. Natal Grass -Warbler. 

 Chindao : " Idiwaraatoro.^^ 



Rh., P. Of the eleven specimens of this Grass- Warbler 

 in my collection the six in typical plumage were shot on 

 the following dates: May 12th, 1905; June 7th, 1905; 

 June 6th, 1906; June llth, 1905; July 1st, 1906; and 

 July 3rd, 1906. Those in the livery of C. cnrvirostris I got 

 on February 3rd, 1907 ; March 7th, 1906 ; March 13th, 1906 ; 

 and April 3rd, 1906 (two males with highly developed testes 

 and with no indication yet of a change to C. naialetisis). 



