by Mr. Chiudc Grant in Sordh Africa. 311 



May, June, July, Aug.) in the Transvaal, Kauye (Jan.) in 

 ISecluianaland, Matje Umschlope in Bulavvayo (Nov.), and 

 Umt'uli River in Kliodesia, and Elephant Vley in Girnian 

 S.W. Africa. One skin from Pinetown taken in May also 

 seems to be referable to this species, but perhaps this may 

 be due to a confusion of label-tickets, as Ayres collected both 

 in Pinetown and Potchefstroom. 



273. ClSTICOLA KUnCAPlLLA. 



CisticoUi abtrrans Stark & Sclater, Bds. S. Afr. ii. p. 143. 



Z. Sibudeni, Nov. (1) ; Tv. Zuurbron, May (1) ; 

 Woodbush, Jan., May (2) ; Turfloop, Mch. (1). 



The oldest name for this bird is C. ruficapilla Smith, 

 published in 1842. Fraser applied the same name to 

 another species of the genus from West Africa in the follow- 

 ing year. 



[" Neeti" of Zulus. 



Zululand and the South-Eastern and North-Eastern 

 Transvaal are the only localities where I have taken this 

 si)('cies ; it is probable that it exists in the inteiniediate 

 country, but it is extremely difficult to name these birds at 

 sight, aud, except where long periods are spent in a locality, 

 they are often passed over, owing in many places to the 

 density and length of the grass and vegetation at certain 

 seasons. 



Usually observed singly or in pairs, the bird frequents long 

 grass in the valleys or thick vegetation bordering the woods 

 and streams. Like the other Grass-Warblers, it has a weak 

 flight, and when creeping about and just after perching it 

 raises the tail and slightly spreads it. It feeds entirely on 

 insects^ and the call is a single weak chirp. 



The soft parts are : — Irides raw sienna ; bill horn-coloured, 

 lower mandible pale slate-coloured; legs and toes amber- 

 brown.] 



276. ClSTICOLA RUFA. 



P. Beira, Jan., Dec. (3). 

 ["Stini^of Ntebis. 



This species was only found near Beira, where it was not 

 uncommon. I have only observed it singly ; it frequents 



