bii Mr. Claude Grant in South Africa. 303 



256. S\LVIELLA RUl'ESCENS. 



CC. Klipfoiiteiii, A])l., ]May, June. July (7); Durban Rd., 

 Sept. (1) ; Tv. Klein Letaba, July, Sept. (2). 



["Crombec''=: Wry-beak of Colonist.s. 



This species was found in Namaqualand, the Cape Pen- 

 insula, and the North-Eastern Transvaal. It was particularly 

 ])lentiful in the former locality. Usually observed in pairs, 

 sometimes singly, it frequents all bushed country and 

 orchards and gardens, where it does no inconsiderable 

 amount of good in clearing off insects. In actions, habits, 

 and appearance it greatly resembles the European Wren 

 {Anorthm'a troglodytes), the call and alarm-note being almost 

 identical. 



The soft parts are : — Irides raw umber ; bill horny brown, 

 paler at base of lower mandible; legs and toes brown.] 



257. Sylviella pallida. 

 P. Tete, Aug, Sept. (2). 



[Observed only in Tete, where it was scarce. In habits 

 it resembles S. rufescens, except that the call and alarm-note 

 are similar to those of <§. ivhytii. The soft parts are similar 

 to those of S. rufescens.] 



Sylviella avhytii. 



P. Masambeti, Oct. (3). 



This species was described by Shelley from examples 

 taken by ^Vhyte (after whom it was named) at Zomba. 

 Swynnerton ('Ibis/ 1907, p. 50, and 1908, p. 73) first re- 

 corded it from South Africa. He obtained it in Gazaland, 

 S. Rhodesia. Since then it has been noticed by Sheppard 

 near Beira (J. S.A. O. U. v. p. 32). 



Its small size, huffy cheeks and superciliary stripes, and 

 the absence of a black band through the eye separating 

 these, distinguish it at once from the other two South- 

 African species. 



[This species was found near Beira, where it was decidedly 

 scarce, only two pairs being observed. In habits and actions 

 it resembles S. rufescens, but the call and alarm-note are 

 sharper and clearer. 



y 2 



