106 So»te RamhUiuj Notes on Birds. 



anything to do with the powers of flight), and the length of 

 the tarsus, as also that of the middle toe, I have prepared 

 the following figures to illustrate the difference between 

 certain of the species : — 



C. terrestris (about) 



C. lavejididce 11-1.3 



C. 7ninuta (about) . . . 

 C. mydica (sp. hoy.) . 

 H. egregia 



The comparative length of the first primary in these cases 

 coincides exactly with the extent to which the birds make 

 use of their wings. Thus C. terrestris and members of the 

 Ilemipteryx genus do not rise to a great height, while 

 Cisticola tnystica rises high, but apparently not so high as 

 C. mimda. C. lavendulce- is a swift flier, though I do not 

 know that it rises to a great height *. 



It now only remains to describe the new species, 



Cisticola mystica, sp. nov. 



In colour somewhat similar to C. mimda, but distinct!}'' 

 larger in size. The colour cannot easily be described owing 

 to the worn condition of the plumage, and will be detailed 

 at a later date v^hen more specimens are obtained. 



Type. Male, taken in open veld near the Leper Asylum, 

 Pretoria, on 25th January, 1913. " Iris straw-colour ; beak 

 dark brown above, horn-blue and white below ; legs and 

 feet brownibh flesh-colour. Length in flesh 99 mm." + 

 "Wing 54 + (worn) ; tail 2\S + (worn) ; tarsus 20*5 ; 

 culmenll; first primary 10*5. In another adult male in 

 worn summer-plnniago, taken near the (lovernmcnt House, 

 Pretoria, the measurements are the same. In a young 

 female, taken at the same time and place as the last, the 

 wing measures 495, tail 30, tarsus 19'5, first primary 13. 



* [We are not sure that we understand Mr. lloberts, but he appears 

 to us to be advancing' a \erv exlniordinary theory. — Edd.] 



