DRYMOICA LEVAILLANTII. 



long, and moderately strong ; claws slender, and slightly curved, the claw of 

 the hinder toe strong, long, and pointed. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Inches. 

 Length from the point of the bill to 



the tip of the tail 5 



of the bill to the angle of the 



mouth 



of the wings when folded ... 2 



ofthetail 2 



Lines. 



3 



8 



Inches. 



Lengtli of the tarsus 



of the outer toe 



of the middle toe 



of the inner toe 



of the hinder toe 



Lines. 

 9 



H 



Female. — The colours the same as those of the male, only not so deep. 



This species is rather widely distributed over South Africa. In the vicinity of Cape Town it 

 is not an uncommon bird, nor is it rare for at least some distance to the north of the Orange 

 River. It resorts both to underwood and long grass, especially in situations where the latter is 

 closely set and strong ; and it is found perhaps more frequently than any where else among 

 rushes or slender reeds in the neighbourhood of marshes, or upon the edges of streams. Its 

 food consists of insects, and in quest of these jt flits quickly from spot to spot. Of the species 

 of this genus it is one of the least wild, and specimens are easily obtained when its resorts are 

 once discovered. Any unusual noise or appearance readily engages its attention, and leads it 

 to ascend to the top or outside of the material upon which it may happen to be perched, in 

 which position it is readily shot. It exhibits a slight peculiarity in respect of the length of the 

 toes: in most of the species oi Dryvwica the outer and inner toes are nearly of equal length ; 

 in this one, however, the inner toe is nearly as long as the middle toe, and palpably longer than 

 the outer one. 



