454 Mr. V. G. L. vau Soinereu on Birds 



composed of grass and lined with grass-fibres. The eggs 

 vary, but the majority are white with reddish spots ; two 

 to three form the clutch. The nesting season depends on 

 the rains. 



Localities. Buziranjuvo, Mukombo, and Kyetema, in 

 Uganda. 



Cisticola robusta ambigua. (Plate XII.) 

 S . 14. vi. 1 3j and nestlings. 



Nests of this species have been taken from March to July 

 and in December and January. The nest is built on the 

 ground, is domed, and is composed of grass and lined with 

 grass-fibres. The eggs are blue or whitish, spotted with 

 brown-black or uniform, or with indistinct brownish 

 markings ; two to three are laid. We have taken the 

 eggs of Chrysococcyx cupreas and C. klaasi from these nests. 



Localities. Nairobi and Kyambu, in British East Africa. 



Cisticola lugubris. 



S 1-2. 2. vii. 12 ; 2. vii. 12. 

 ? 1-2. 2. vii. 12 ; 2. vii. 12. 



This species is not common in Uganda, but in British 

 East Africa we saw it in fair numbers amongst the tall 

 rank grass by the side of swamps and lakes. 



These speciments do not quite agree with the examples of 

 C. lugubris at Tring. They have deep chestnut-coloured heads, 

 and mantles which are indistinctly mottled and washed with 

 chestnut ; the under surface is more ochraceous. These 

 birds were shot off their nests. This is placed in the grass 

 or in a stunted shrub, and is composed of a few grass- 

 blades, between which is woven a quantity of cotton-wool 

 and vegetable-down ; the lining is of cotton-wool. The 

 eggs are pale pink, with brick-red and liver-coloured spots. 

 Eour to five eggs are laid. 



Locality. Kisumu, in British East Africa. 



Cisticola cinerasceus. 



Cisticola semitorques (Heugl.) ; Reicheuow, Vog. Afr. iii. 

 p. 563 [part.]. 



