THE SINGING BIRDS. 263 



snails, and grubs constitute their principal means of support. Their nests are always remarkable for 

 their great beauty, some species exhibiting great artistic skill in their manner of weaving their materials 

 together, while the most famous members of the group, the wonderful " Tailor Birds," literally sew 

 leaves to each other, and employ them to enclose the actual nest, or bed for the young. 



THE P1NC-PINC. 



The PINC-PINC {Cisticola sehxnida) is very recognisable by its short, delicate, and slightly 

 curved beak, long tarsi, large toes, short tail, and rounded wing, in which the fourth quill exceeds 

 the rest in length. The plumage of the adult is yellowish brown, the head being spotted with three 

 blackish and two light yellow streaks. The nape and rump are brownish and unspotted ; the throat 

 and belly are pure white ; the breast, side, and lower tail-covers reddish yellow ; the quills are greyish 

 black, edged on the outer web with reddish yellow. The centre tail-feathers are reddish brown, the 

 rest greyish brown, bordered with white at the end, and decorated with a heart-shaped black spot. 

 The eye is brownish grey, the beak horn colour, and the foot reddish. The young are only 

 distinguishable from the adults by the lighter colour of the under side. This species is four inches 

 and a quarter long, and two and a quarter broad ; the wing measures one inch and three-quarters, 

 and the tail an inch and a half. The female is a quarter of an inch shorter and half an inch narrower 

 than her mate. The Pinc-Pinc, as it is called by the Algerines, from a supposed resemblance of 

 those syllables to its note, is numerously met with in Central and Southern Spain, Southern Italy, 

 Greece, Sardinia, Algiers, and India. 



" This bird," says Jerdon, " is now considered identical with the European one, and is also 

 spread over the greater part of Africa. It is found in every part of India, frequenting long grass, 

 corn and rice fields. It makes its way adroitly through the grass or corn, and often descends to the 

 ground to pick up insects ; but I do not think, that it habitually runs along, as the name given by 

 Franklin would imply, but it rather makes its way through the grass or reeds, partly hopping and 

 partly flying. When put up it takes a short jerking flight for a few yards, and then drops down into 

 the grass again. It feeds on ants, larvas of grasshoppers, and various other small insects. As Blyth 

 remarks, ' It may commonly be observed to rise a little way into the air, as is the habit of so many 

 birds that inhabit similar situations, repeating at intervals a single note, "Jik! jik!"' During the 

 breeding season the male bird may be seen seated on a tall blade of grass, pouring forth a feeble little 

 song. The nest is made of delicate vegetable down, woven into the stems of a thick clump of grass, 

 and forming a compact and very beautiful fabric, with a small entrance near the top, and the eggs are 

 four or five in number, translucent white, with reddish spots. It has been noticed that whilst the 

 hen is laying the male bird builds the nest higher." 



According to Hausmann it is quite stationary in its habits, and our own observations corroborate 

 this statement. In Spain it occupies low-lying places, and in Sardinia, we learn from the above- 

 mentioned authority that it frequents such flat parts of the sea-coast as are marshy and overgrown 

 with grass, but also frequently breeds and lives in fields of corn. In North-western Africa it seeks 

 meadows and pasture-land, and in India dwells on any spot covered with either long grass, com, or 

 rice. During the breeding season the male is extremely active, and may be constantly seen flying 

 restlessly about, uttering its loud note, and fluttering boldly round and about any intruder on its 

 privacy ; at other times it is somewhat timid. All kinds of caterpillars, dipterous insects, and small 

 snails constitute the principal food of the Pinc-Pinc ; these it gathers from the leaves or seeks upon 

 the ground, casting forth the harder portions after the softer parts are digested. The nest, which 

 we have repeatedly found among long grass, reeds, and rushes, about half a foot from the ground, 

 is thus described by Le Vaillant : — " It is," he says, " usually placed among prickly bushes, but 



