288 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
no streaks on the breast, and the under tail-coverts are very pale 
fulvous, quite different to the dark brown under tail-coyerts of the 
other South African Bradypteri. 
Adult male—Crown of head and back dull brown, shading 
gradually off into fulvous brown on the lower back, rump, and 
upper tail-coverts, which are much lighter than the rest of the back ; 
wings dark brown, all the feathers edged with fulyous brown ; tail 
dark brown, the tips pale fulyous brown, all the feathers obscurely 
waved under certain lights; lores conspicuously whitish, a dusky 
spot in front of the eye, and round the latter a ring of whitish 
feathers ; above the eye a slight indication of a whitish streak ; ear- 
coverts light brown; cheeks, and under surface of body white; the 
sides of the upper breast brown ; the flanks, thighs and under tail- 
coverts fulvous brown, the two latter much paler; under wing- 
coverts whitish, especially the edge of the wing which forms a 
conspicuous spot; under surface of quills ashy brown, with light 
fulyous margins along the inner webs of the quills ; bill horn brown 
(in skin); “‘legs and feet slate colour; iris hazel” (MS. note on 
specimen). Total length, 6-2 inches; culmen, 0.8; wing, 3:05; 
tail, 3°0; tarsus, 1°15. 
272. BRrapypYERUS SYLVATICUS. Knysna Reed- Warbler. 
Up to the time of writing we have been unable satisfactorily to 
determine the above species, which was described by Prof. Sundevall 
from a specimen obtained by Victorin at the Knysna. As will be 
seen from the description which we transcribe below, it possesses 
several peculiarities, such as the absence of spots on the throat and 
the light edgings to the under tail-coverts. It cannot be B. 
brachypterus, because this always has distinct throat-stripes and, 
moreover, so good adescriber as Prof. Sundevall would not have 
overlooked the peculiar light-edged wing-coverts. It cannot be 
B. gracilirostris, which has no streaks or spots on the throat, on 
account of the discrepancy in size, and the differences of colouration 
are altogether too apparent. It is, therefore, closely allied to 
B. barratti: but in this species the strongly developed throat-stripes 
are one of the most distinguishing characters, so that altogether it is 
difficult to refer any of the specimens examined by us to the true 
B. sylvaticus. In the British Museum are two skins obtained by the 
late Sir Andrew Smith, and these agree tolerably well in size, but 
a 
