92 MR. R. swiNHOE ON NEW AND [Mar. 24, 



my opinion, with regard to the Reed-birds, and to several other 

 groups, double specific names might almost be allowed. "We will 

 not now, however, attempt to propose a new subgenus for the recep- 

 tion of this new species ; but only point out that, in the character 

 of its tail, this bird is not a typical Calamoherpe, if we regard C. 

 turdoides as the type. 



cJ. Length 7-5; vring 3-3; tail 2-7; bill, along culmen, -7; 

 tarsi ri; hind toe and claw 7'5. 



$. Length 7-2; wing 3-1 ; tail 27. 



The five lateral rectrices much graduated, all strongly mucronate; 

 first primary quill broad, pointed, and short ; the second about one- 

 twelfth shorter than third, which is the longest in the wing. 



Bill deep brown on upper mandible and apical half of lower, pale 

 on the edges of both ; basal half of lower ochreous, becoming brighter 

 yellow on the rictus, base, and basal edge of upper ; inside of mouth 

 bright yellow ; legs and claws deep flesh-brown ; upper plumage 

 dusky chestnut-brown, tinged with olive, ruddier on the back, wings, 

 and tail ; a whitish streak runs over the eyes ; throat, centre of 

 breast, and belly white ; cheeks and lower neck smoke-grey ; sides 

 of breast, axillae, flanks, and vent brownish buff"; irides chestnut- 

 brown. 



A younger bird had the bill deep greyish brown on culmen, bluish 

 grey on gonys, with the rest of the bill pale flesh-colour, yellowish 

 at base and rictus ; inside of mouth pale yellow ; legs and claws 

 light yellowish or flesh-brown ; the under parts have less smoke-grey 

 and buff, and the upper parts are lighter. 



All the specimens have several thread-like filaments proceeding 

 from the ends of the occipital feathers. This peculiarity is more 

 observable in the JDrymoiccB and PrinicB than perhaps in any other 

 group of Warblers. I have of this species eight specimens, all pro- 

 cured at Amoy in May 1861. 



Calamodyta sorghophila, n. sp. 



This Sedge- Warbler, of which I procured only one specimen at 

 Amoy in May 1861, is smaller than the Continental C. aquatica, 

 and more nearly resembles the British C.phragmitis, L., from which 

 it difi'ers in the form of its wing, and almost in the unspotted appear- 

 ance of its upper parts. Upper mandible of bill blackish brown, edge 

 of upper and whole of lower yellow-ochre ; rictus and inside of mouth 

 yellow ; irides ochreous brown ; legs and toes plumbeous, with paler 

 soles ; upper parts ochreous olive, with a few rather faint streaks of 

 blackish brown ; eyebrow and cheeks ochreous, more buff"-coloured 

 on the lores ; over the eyebrow a black streak marks each side of 

 the head ; under parts yellowish buff, much paler on the throat, 

 under neck, and centre of belly ; wing-coverts and tertiaries deep 

 hair-brown, margined with ochreous olive ; quills hair-brown, edged 

 with light chestnut-brown ; tail pale hair-brown, margined with red- 

 dish olive, which colour also tinges the rump ; inner edges of the 

 under wing edged with very pale rusty ochre. 



