14: ]\Ir. C. F. M. Swynnertoii on Nests and 



in wliicli it is placed liavino; itself been lUilized to a larcro 

 extent for tlie outer la3'er of tlie otherwise flimsy semi-domed 

 nest. The lining consists of tine grass-heads, some of which 

 are brought togctlier at the top of the dome, a very few 

 downy pappi at the bottom of tlie cup being the only other 

 material used. Total height 4^ inches, diameter 2'5 inches. 

 Some grass was hanging loosely from the opening. The 

 bird at both these nests was distinctly shy, readily leaving 

 the nest and following its usual ha])it of flying from the top 

 of one prominent stump to another. The eggs of No. 100 

 were apparently lost. 



106. .'i2(:0ft. 6.2.08. — A nest one foot from the ground 

 in a tuft of grass, and composed, like the last, of a flimsy 

 layer of dry grasses, with a firm and compact outer casing of 

 the green growing grass-blades, some of the latter being 

 brought over to form the dome. Three eggs, measuring 

 20 by 14 mm. each ; white, strongly tinged with blue and 

 speckled all over, especially about the larger end, with spots 

 of yellowish brow^n and violet-grey, the latter in each case 

 predominating. 



800. CiSTicoLA SEMITORQUES (Heugl.). Grey Grass- 

 Warbler. 



82. 3800 ft. 8. 1.08.— A nest close on the outskirts of 

 the Chirinda Forest, 2 ft. 4 in. from the ground, in a Lippia 

 shrub in my cofPee-[)lantation. The nest was seated between 

 two vertical twigs and composed of grass, to which was 

 fastened an external layer of the Lippia leaves themselves. 

 Three fresh eggs, 18-5 by 12 and 17 by 12-1 mm. (two) ; 

 white, faintly tinged with blue and with bold spots and 

 blotches of vandyk- brown and violet-grey, confined chieflv 

 to the thick end — in one egg as a well-defined zone. 



99. 3G00 ft. 27. 1.08.— A nest neatly fastened inside a 

 bunch of grass, one foot from the ground. The green 

 growing blades were themselves wound round the nest, 

 I'orming its outer layer. Next came a layer of fine grass- 

 heads, and next the lining, a felted mass of vegetable down. 

 All seeds had been removed from both these lavei-s. In 



