Annals of the Transvaal Museum. 
243 
contrast to the back. Specimens of this species from the Northern Trans- 
vaal are somewhat more thickly streaked on the back, and in two out of 
three examined, there are faint indications of streaks on the nape. 
This species seems also to occur at Potchefstroom, wherefrom reference 
to specimens in the British Museum have been made in the Cat. B.M., 
Yol. 7, p. 289, under the name of C. lais. Also, I came across this species 
in the hills on the banks of the Vaal River at Venterskroon, and in the 
rocky kopjes west of Potchefstroom ; unfortunately, I have no skins before 
me for examination. 
In its habits it is quite distinct from C. chiniana (which it closely 
resembles in colour), being found only on bare kopjes amongst the sparse 
rank vegetation. Its call-note and habits are almost identical with those 
of lais, from which it is to be at once distinguished specifically by its 
distinct colour pattern. Its eggs are also similar to those of lais. 
Specimens in the Transvaal Museum collection : — 
No. 
Locality. 
Date. 
Sex. 
Wing. 
Tail. 
Tars. 
Culm. 
8972 
Pretoria (Type) . . 
17 / 8 /09 
c? 
64 
69 
19 -5 
12-5 
8974 
Pretoria 
S / 4/11 
? 
56 
56 ? 
17 -5 
11 
5236 
J) • 
16 / 12/08 
<? 
62 
55 
19 
12 
9514 
. 
20 /I /12 
* (o ) 
63 ? 
58 ? 
19 -5 
12 
8973 
JJ 
22 / 7/09 
p 
57 
61 
17 -5 
12 
9514 
5J * 
10 / 1/12 
3 
60 ? 
58 ? 
19 
11-5 
8975 
Germiston 
23 / 2/10 
'<?. 
60 
60 
20 
12 
8979 
55 ....... 
19 / 2/10 
3 
62 ? 
57 
20 
12-5 
8978 
55 ******* 
15 12 /10 
? 
56 ? 
51 
18 
11-5 
8977 
55 
17 / 2/10 
juv. 
55 
63 
17 -5 
11*5 
8976 
55 ******* 
17 /2 /10 
juv. 
55 
55 
18 
11 
4272 
Woodbush 
19 / 12/07 
60 
49 ? 
20 
11-5 
8970 
Haenertsburg . . . . 
7 / 12/09 
s 
59 
56 ? 
21 
12 
8971 
55 * • • • 
7 / 12/09 
2 
59 
59 
20 
12 
Group IV — Cisticola chiniana. 
(1) Tail about same length as wing, not becoming perceptibly longer 
in winter and not varying, in good plumage, more than about 10 % ; (2) 
first primary 57-66 % length of second ; (3) tail not very broad, rather 
soft ; (4) beak fairly stout, equal in length to the middle toe and half or 
more than half the claw ; (5) inner and outer toes about equal, their claws 
reaching beyond the base of middle claw ; (6) middle claw short and blunt, 
less than half the length of the toe ; (7) seasonal change only slightly 
perceptible. Inhabits dry thorn- veld ; is very shy ; voice is harsh and 
noisy. 
1. Cisticola chiniana (A. Smith).* 
Plate— Smith’s 111. Zool. of S.A., PI. 79. 
The following description is taken from Smith’s, text to the plate 
above mentioned : — 
“ The upper surface of the head, and the upper parts of the sides of 
the neck, intermediate between yellowish brown and hyacinth-red (a 
* Zool. of South Africa, Plate 79 (1843). 
