LUSCINID^ 97 



nostrils basal, placed in a membranous groove, with the 

 opening oval and exposed ; wings ratber short, with the 

 first quill very short, the second rather shorter than the 

 third and fourth, which are equal and longest ; tail moderate, 

 broad, and rounded ; tarsi slender, longer than the middle 

 toe, and covered in front with broad scales, sometimes the 

 divisions between them are scarcely visible ; toes rather long 

 and slender, the outer toe longer than the inner one, and 

 slightly united at the base, the hind toe long and strong ; the 

 claws moderate, curved, and acute. 



174. Calamodyta Babsecula. (Vieii.) La 



Caqueteuse, Le Vail., PI. 121, f. 1 ; Calamolierjpe 

 Loquax, Boie. 

 Upper parts, head, wings, and tail, sombre-brown, lightly 

 glossed with olive ; under parts light-brown ; throat speckled 

 with brown. Length about 5". 



Le Yaillant says lie procured this species ir tlie marshes of Verloren 

 Vley, on the West Coast, and in Outeniqualand. The nest rs con- 

 structed among reeds. The eggs are white, spotted with brown, and 

 five or six in number. 



The male utters a note which Le Vaillant represents by the words 

 " gri-gri-gra-gra'' 



" Avis nobis ignota ; quam vero existere nos dubitamus." — Sundev., 

 p. 37. 



I have not succeeded in identifying this species, but am inclined to 

 think Le Vaillant was alluding to Calamodyta Sufescens when describ- 

 ing the note and habits above given. 



175. Sylvia BoetiCUla, Vleil. ; CetHa Bceticula, 



Sund. ; Calamodyta Bceticula, Vieil. ; Sylvia Isabella, 

 Boie. ; risabelle, Le Vail, PI. 121, fig. 2. 

 "In general appearance, this species resembles La Caqueteuse, 

 and might be mistaken for the female of that bird. It is 

 found in the same localities, constructs its nest in the same 

 manner, and lays five or six pure white eggs." — Le Vaillant. 



176. Calamodyta Rufescens. (Keys and Bi) 



Grill., 1. c, p. 28. 

 Upper parts isabella- coloured ; throat, front of neck, belly, 

 and all the under parts, with a slight reddish tinge. Length, 

 6"; wing, 2" 8'"; tail, 2" 5'". 



Eeceived from Mr. Atmore, Swellendam, and is very common in 

 reed-beds along the banks of rivers in the Karroo, and about Nel's 

 Poort ; also at Zoetendal's Yley. It is a noisy bird, continually utter- 



M 



