276 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
Writing from Windvogelberg in September, 1873, Major Bulger 
sends us the following note :—“ There is a very tiny bird abundant 
on the Flats all around us here, which we call the ‘little grass-bird.’ 
It is Drymoica terrestris—the smallest feathered creature I have seen 
in the country, and something like a diminutive lark in appearance. 
When started it always rises with a whirr, and flies away emitting a 
snapping noise, and, occasionally, an alarm-note ; and, whilst on the 
ground, amongst the grass, where it is commonly met with, I fancy 
it not unfrequently makes the same snapping noise, for often, whilst 
I have been walking on the Flats, I have heard this sound, and 
presently, have flushed the ‘ little grass bird.’ It has seemed to us 
that this Drymoica possesses the power of ventriloquism, for I have 
remarked on many occasions that, although we have heard the 
peculiar sound produced by this bird around us in every direction, 
we have never succeeded in finding more than one or two, at the 
most, of these little creatures.” 
Lieut. H. Trevelyan has sent us a specimen from King William’s 
Town, and from Eland’s Post in the Eastern Province we have 
received several specimens collected by Mr. T. C. Atmore. In Natal 
it is by no means uncommon, to judge from the numerous specimens 
which have been sent from Pinetown and Durban, by Mr. T. L. 
Ayres ; and Mr. Thomas Ayres gives the following account of the 
species in that Colony :— 
« These birds are common in the open country, frequenting much 
shorter grass than that frequented by Drymeca curvirostris. Their 
nest is very beautifully constructed, amongst the fine stalks of 
grass, which are drawn together towards the top, a sort of purse or 
bag being made of the finest and whitest down and spider’s webs 
and attached at the sides to the~ grass which surrounds it, the 
opening being on the top. On any intruder approaching the nest, 
the birds generally mount overhead with a flitting eccentric flight, 
watching with anxiety the fate of their domicile. Their flight is 
tolerably strong; and when they have been disturbed once or 
twice, it is sometimes a difficult matter to get within shot of them.” 
Mr. T. E. Buckley says that he found it “ extremely common 
throughout Natal and the Transvaal, being among the long dead 
grass in the open veldt.” We are indebted to Dr, Exton and to 
Mr. Thomas Ayres for some beautiful specimens procured near 
Potchefstroon, and the latter gentleman writes :—* These little 
