Vol. xix.] 104 



yet visible. At first the parents fed them with insects and 

 ants' eggs^ but after a few days they began to feed 

 themselves. 



The chicks in their first dress might be described as 

 follows : — 



The whole of the upperside, except the hinder part of the 

 head, of a light sand-colour^ mixed with black spots ; a black 

 line runs from the bill through the eyes around the head 

 and forms an edging; the sand-colour runs up from the 

 shoulders towards the top of the head and in front towards 

 the breast without meeting, so that a ring, partially open in 

 front, is formed ; the hind part of the head is white and the 

 down there is somewhat lengthened, forming a curious sort 

 of wig. The underparts white. The legs, feet, and bill 

 at first blackish, but becoming lighter as the birds grow 

 older. 



Mr. Blaauw hoped to be able to describe the first plumage 

 in a subsequent number of the ' Bulletin.' 



Mr. Boyd Alexander sent the following descriptions of 

 two new species of African birds : — 



CiSTICOLA PETROPHILA, Sp. U. 



Adult male. Similar to C. cinerascens (Heugl.), but larger 

 and differs in lacking the rufous margins to the primaries, 

 the entii-e outer aspect of the quills and Aving-coverts being 

 dark brown. 



^. Total length 5'3 inches; culmen 0*55; wing 2*3; 

 tail 2-4; tarsus 0-95. 



? . Total length 5'0 inches ; culmen 0'5 ; wing 2*2 ; 

 tail 2-0; tarsus 0-95. 



Hab. Northern Nigeria, ranging to the Shari River. 



Obs. Seven specimens of this new Cisticola were obtained. 

 Unlike C. cinerascens, which is always to be found on the 

 plains, this bird inhabits rocky hills. 



Amadina sudanensis, sp. n. 



Adult male. Similar to A. fusciata (Gmel.), but differs in 

 having the upper breast pale uniform fulvous and the flanks 

 much less heavily barred. 



