NOTES FEOM NATAL. 245 



and in the absence of black shaft-stripes to the upper and under 

 tail-coverts. It is common in the vicinity of Newcastle, fre- 

 quenting scrubby bush and long grass by the sides of the rivers 

 and water-courses, from which it is very hard to dislodge it after 

 its first weak flight. Specimens vary a good deal in size. Iris 

 reddish-brown ; legs, feet, and bill lavender. 



Apalis thoracicus (Shaw), Bar-throated Warbler. — One 

 obtained by Feilderi and Keid on the 15th May, in a "kloof" on 

 the Drakensberg mountains, near Newcastle. It was creeping 

 about like a mouse along the leafy branch of a tree. Butler also 

 found it not uncommon in the same locality, and obtained several 

 specimens. He remarked that the note is loud for the size of 

 the bird, and peculiar, so that, once having heard it, it is im- 

 possible to mistake it. Iris pale yellowish white ; legs and feet 

 pinkish flesh (B). 



Bradypterus brachypterus (VieiL), Stripe-throated Reed War- 

 bler.— Butler found this species not uncommon about Richmond 

 Road, and shot a female developed for breeding at Karkloof on 

 the 16th November. It frequents long grass and rushes growing 

 in swamps or by the side of streams. He also noticed it 

 occasionally in the swamps about Newcastle, and in other 

 localities on the march down country during the wet season. 



Bradypterus gracilirostris (Hartl.), White-breasted Reed 

 Warbler. — Not uncommon in the thickest reeds in the "vleys" 

 near Newcastle in September and October, at which season it 

 breeds. It is a noisy bird, betraying its presence by its loud 

 musical notes. We had hard work, however, to obtain specimens, 

 as it is very shy on the approach of an intruder, creeping about 

 like a mouse among the stems of the reeds, and keeping to the 

 densest parts. The note is almost as rich and powerful as that 

 of the Nightingale. A hen shot on the 27th October was un- 

 doubtedly sitting. Bill brown above, flesh below ; legs and feet 

 dark plumbeous-olive ; iris brown. 



Acrocephalus arundinaceus (Linn.), Great Reed Warbler. — 

 The Great Reed Warbler from Natal is now pronounced 

 inseparable from the European bird, A. turdoides (Meyer) = A. 

 arundinaceus (Linn.) The only specimen obtained was a pale- 

 coloured variety shot by Reid at Richmond Road, near Pieter- 

 maritzburg, on the 7th December. He saw another the same 

 day, but could not secure it. Male, immature ; iris light brown ; 



