94 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



which the brushwood had sprung up. They hunted incessantly after 

 insects, gliding about among the branches, peering up at the under- 

 sides of the leaves or thick branches, and darting up at the small 

 insects which sought concealment in such situations. 



Swellendam has furnished me with several specimens ; it is also 

 abundant at Nel's Poort, and all along the rivers in that part of the 

 Karroo ; and I likewise saw a pair which evidently were nesting in 

 the rank herbage and scrub which line the crater of the minute volcano 

 from which issue the hot springs of Caledon. 



166. Drymoica Oxyura, o. R Gray; Sylvia 



Oxyura, Shaw ; Le Figuier a Cuti-Pennes, Le Vail., 

 PI. 133; Nat. Misc., PL 957. 



UPPER parts red ; under parts citron-yellow, lightish towards 

 the vent, which is white ; the first two feathers of the wing 

 brown, as are also the ends of the next seven or eight ; tail- 

 feathers ending in sharp points like bristles. 



Le Vaillant says he discovered this species on the banks of the 

 Groote Hiver, among the mimosa trees. Sundevall doubts this being 

 an African bird, and thinks that Le Vaillant has figured an American 

 species of Synallaxis. 



167. Drymoica Ayresii, Harti, ibis. Vol. ises, 



p. 325. 



RESEMBLES Cisticola Europcea, but much brighter in colour ; 

 rump rufous ; feet considerably larger ; the tarsi smaller. 

 Length of wing, 1". 



This new Drymoica, figured in the " Ibis " for 1863, p. 325, was 

 discovered by Mr. Ayres at Natal, frequenting open grassy country. 



168. Drymoica Fulvicapilla, B P . ; Sylvia Fui- 



vicapilla, Vieil. ; Le Rousse-tete, Le Vail., PI. 124. 



UPPER parts, wings, and tail brownish ; ash- coloured below ; 

 wbitisb on the vent ; top of the head red-brown, or tan- 

 coloured ; tail square; eyes red-brown; feet yellowish. 

 Length, 4" 4'" ; wing, 2" 9"'' ; tail, 1" 9'". 



The nest is constructed among low bushes amid which the bird lives. 

 The eggs, from four to six in number, are white, dotted with very small 

 vinaceous spots, like fly-blows. Inhabits, according to Le Vaillanl, the 

 districts of Cambeboo, Kafirland, and JN"amaqualand. 



Mr. Atmore has sent two specimens from the neighbourhood of 

 .George. 



