46 THE BIRDS OF THE LUCKNOW CIVIL DIVISION. 
but the eggs are very different, being of a brick-red color. 
The average measurement of six is ‘64 by “46 inches. 
539.—Cisticola cursitans, Frankl. 
The Fantail Warbler is a permanent resident, abundant in all 
suitable localities, principally in long grass wherever this is found 
—in dhak jungles, where grass is abundant, and in corn and 
pea-fields in the neighbourhood of, or partially surrounded by, 
sarpatta grass ; but never, I think, far away from these and such 
like retreats. It feeds on small insects and their larvee. Ihave 
no notes regarding its nidification. 
543.—Drymeca inornata, Sykes. Native name— 
Ghas-Phutki. | 
The Harth-brown Wren-Warbler frequents the same localities 
as the last, but in far greater numbers. Indeed, it is one of the 
most common birds in the Division, always found in great 
numbers wherever thatching or sarpatta grass abounds. When 
disturbed, it usually takes a short, jerky, flight and darts again 
into the grass, through which it moves with great facility. 
Sometimes, when undisturbed and “ alone in its glory,” it takes 
short excursions into the air, jerks about for a few moments, and 
then returns to the grass to indulge.in a low twittering song. 
It breeds very generally in July. Between the 1st and 3lst 
of that month, I must have seen and examined at least 100 nests 
in the sarpatta grass clumps so common along the Goomti at 
Lucknow. The nests were invariably made of fine strips of 
grass, which is always used when green and pliable, giving 
them at first a green appearance, but later on, as it fades, a 
straw color. In shape they are rather elongated oval structures, 
very neatly woven, with the entrance hole near the top, and 
are generally about three or four feet from the ground in the 
middle of a clump of grass firmly attached to five or six of the 
stems. The eggs are generally of a pale bluish-green, spotted 
with chocolate and various shades of brown, the larger ends 
generally with, but occasionally without, a zone of denser spots 
entangled in a labyrinth of fine hair-like lines. Another 
variety, though similarly marked, have pure pinkish-white 
grounds, and are very beautiful eggs. Out of 70 eggs in 
my possession, 62 belong to the former, and eight to the latter, 
variety. They measure respectively :— 
Bluish variety ; 
Average measurement ... °60 by *45 inches. 
Measurement of largestega ... °62,, “47 yy 
Measurement of smallest eg. selOiceapa tou an 
