Subfamily DRYM@CIN AZ. 
Genus CISTICOLA. 
Sylvia apud Temminck, Man. d’Orn. i. p. 228 (1820). 
Cisticola, Kaup, Natiirl. Syst. p. 119 (1829). 
Prinia apud Franklin, P. Z. S. 1831, p. 118. 
Drymoica apud Swainson, Classif. of B. ii. p. 242 (1837). 
Salicaria apud Keyserling & Blasius, Wirbelth. Eur. p. 55 (1840). 
Caricicola apud C. L. Brehm, Vogelf. p. 237 (1855). 
Calamanthella apud Swinhoe, Journ. N. China Br. As. Soc. May 1859. 
ALTHOUGH the present genus in many respects approaches near to the true Aquatic Warblers, the 
species belonging to it differ so appreciably in habit, form, and mode of nidification as to fully 
justify generic separation. The Cisticolw inhabit the southern portion of the Palearctic Region 
as well as the Ethiopian and Oriental Regions, one species only (Cisticola cursitans) being found 
in the Western Palearctic Region. It is a restless, active bird, frequenting grassy or bush- 
covered places, usually near water, and is a resident in the Western Palearctic Region. It feeds 
chiefly on insects of various kinds, which it obtains both on the ground and on the bushes and 
grass. It flight is feeble and short ; but it climbs with ease amongst the grass, reeds, and bushes. 
The nest is purse-shaped, and is fastened in the middle of a bunch of high grasses; and the eggs 
are pale blue or white, spotted with rufous. It is only a moderately good songster, and has a 
harsh, grating call-note. 
Cisticola cursitans, the type of the present genus, has the bill rather stout, rather broad at 
the base, moderately long, decurved towards the tip; the nostrils basal, oval; gape furnished 
with a few short bristles; wings moderately long, first quill short, but considerably longer than 
the coverts, second shorter than the seventh, the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth nearly equal ; 
tail moderately long, much graduated; tarsus long, covered in front with five plates and three 
inferior scutelle ; feet moderate ; general plumage loose, spotted. 
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