236 
Annals of the Transvaal Museum. 
as representing a race distinct from mvlleri ; two of the specimens from Zimbiti (Nos. 6815 
and 6816) also show a faint subterminal mark on the tail feathers, but it is not nearly so 
distinct as in the Boror specimen. The specimen from Woodbush is smaller than any of 
the others from the Transvaal, and from the situation of that place as compared with the 
bushveld, where the others were collected, I think that another race possibly also exists 
there, which lacks the subterminal mark on the tail feathers. The plumage when rubbed 
and worn by constant contact with the grass is lighter coloured than when in a fresh con- 
dition. In young birds the colours are not so well defined as in adults. 
Group II — Cisticola abermns. 
(1) Tail always longer than the wing — 110-132 % ; (2) first 
primary 65-75 % length of second ; (3) tail slender and flexible ; (4) beak 
medium strength, in length equal to the middle toe and half its claw ; 
(5) inner and outer toes about equal in length, not reaching to the base of 
the middle claw ; (6) middle claw weak, less than half the length of the toe. 
No noticeable seasonal change in colour, but tail slightly longer in winter. 
Inhabits scrub on mountain sides ; call not very loud ; and flight rather 
weak. 
Cisticola aberrans (A. Smith).* 
Plate— Smith’s 111. Zool. of S.A., PL 78. 
The following is a copy of Smith’s original description 
“ The upper surface of head and back of neck pale chestnut-brown, 
deepened with hyacinth-red ; the interscapulars and feathers of the back 
intermediate between yellowish and broccoli-brown, each with an indistinct 
umber brown shade in the course of the shaft ; the under parts a pale 
rusty olive-yellow, the throat and chin lightest ; the sides of the breast 
and flanks tinged with hair-brown. Lesser wing-coverts dull umber- 
brown, edged with dull yellowish brown. The primary, secondary, and 
tertiary quill feathers light brownish red ; the primaries and secondaries 
edged towards the quills with pale chestnut-brown ; the tertiaries edged 
and tipped with dull yellowish brown. The tail feathers coloured like 
the back, lightest at the points ; and behind the light points a faint 
indication on each of a dark spot or bar ; the two middle ones edged 
externally and internally, the rest only externally, with yellowish brown. 
Eyebrows pale sienna-yellow, not distinctly indicated. Bill : upper 
mandible light orange-coloured brown shaded with deep reddish brown, 
lower mandible straw yellow. Legs and toes pale reddish yellow. Length 
148 mm., wing 61 mm., tail 81 mm., tarsus 26 mm.” The type, a <$, 
was collected at Durban. 
Sharpe gives a more accurate description of this specimen in his 
edition of Layard’s “ Birds of South Africa,” as Smith’s description leads 
one to believe that the back is streaked and the tail feathers have a sub- 
terminal band ; while as a matter of fact these two characters are so very 
faint as to be hardly noticeable, as compared with other species in which 
these characters are more pronounced and ensure identity of the species. 
The figure given by Smith is more satisfactory than the text. 
C. aberrans has sometimes been confused with ruficapilla, as has been 
shown in the discussion of that species, the two being identical in colour ; 
* Zool. ot South Africa, Plate 78 (1848). 
