DRYMOICA TERRESTRIS. 



fifth, and sixth quill feathers nearly equal and longest, the second and 

 seventh rather shorter, the first about half as long as the second, and narrow ; 

 the tertiary nearly as long as the primary quill-feathers. Tail moderately 

 long, and slightly graduated, the two middle feathers rather the longest. 

 Tarsi moderately strong, anteriorly scutellated, posteriorly entire ; toes long 

 and moderately strong, the outer and middle ones united near their base ; 

 claws slightly curved, the claw of the hinder toe longest. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Inches. 

 Length from the point of the bill to 



the tip of the tail 4 



of the bill to the angle of the 



mouth 



of the wings wheu folded . . 2 



of the tail 1 



Lines. 



4J 



Inches. 



Length of the tarsus 



of the outer toe 



of the middle toe 



of the inner toe 



of the hinder toe 



Lines. 

 10 

 3 



H 



3 



3 



Female. — The colours are rather brighter and the proportion of umber- 

 brown on the back is rather less than in the male. The bill is more delicate 

 and shorter. 



This bird was first discovered upon the grassy plains lying between Latakoo and Kurrichane, 

 and was found, though sparingly, to the northward of the latter. It feeds on the ground, 

 always in situations fully supplied with long grass, and seems to hold an analogous place in 

 the districts it inhabits to that which Drymoica textrix holds in the more southern latitudes. 

 From its generally occurring in situations where few if any shrubs exist, it is not very easy to 

 procure specimens, as nothing occurs for the bird to perch upon ; hence the only chance of 

 killing it is by firing at it while on the wing. When an individual is discovered, it may be 

 flushed a second, and perhaps a third time, but after that any further attempts to disturb it 

 prove fruitless. It feeds upon minute insects. 



