Birds of Gazaland, Southern Rhodesia. 59 
(external diameter 2°5 inches, total depth 4), with the opening 
practically at the top; in one a number of small downy pappi 
were worked into the general structure, externally and also 
as a ceiling to the somewhat diminutive dome, but none 
entered into the lining. The leaves of the twigs supporting 
the nests had been perforated along their edges by the bird’s 
bill and were neatly sewn to the nests by means of fine 
grass-blades passing through the openings. ‘The eggs were 
three in number, those of the sitting bird which was brought 
to me measuring 17 by 12 mm., and being pale grey in 
ground-colour, faintly clouded and obscured with palest 
purplish brown and covered with irregular fine streaks of 
darker shades of the same colour. 
61. CisricoLa cINERASCENS. Grey Grass-Warbler. 
Our commonest Grass-Warbler, at all events in the 
vicinity of Chirinda. A nest was brought to me a few days 
ago {March 11th), together with the female ; it contained 
three eggs, slightly set, white, with blotches, mostly large, 
but some in each case tending to form a rough zone round 
the larger end, of light purplish brown and purplish grey ; 
they averaged 19 mm. in length by 13 in breadth. The 
nest, which was supported between high weeds, measured 
3 inches in diameter by 4°25 in depth, the cup 2 inches 
in diameter, and consisted chiefly of grass-blades, intermixed 
with down and bound together with spiders’ webs; the 
interior was warmly lined with down and one or two small 
feathers, and over the top of the nest, which was domed, were 
bound three large leaves, greatly strengthening the structure. 
I have observed this bird at sunrise in the grass-jungle, 
sitting on a tall grass-stem or projecting custard-apple twig, 
with wings drooping and back-feathers and tail erected, 
thawing in the early rays and uttering now and then a clear 
musical call. 
62. Cisticota Rura. Fraser’s Grass- Warbler. 
A Warbler recently obtained by Mr. Stanley in the 
neighbourhood of Mafusi has been identified by Mr. W. 
L. Sclater as belonging to this species. 
