Annals of the Transvaal Museum. 
247 
The type specimen was collected by Andersson in Damaraland, and 
is apparently in summer plumage. 
C. rujilata is not uncommon in certain suitable localities of the Trans- 
vaal. It is found only in the scattered trees found in arid regions, such 
as that of the high ground overlooking the “ bushveld ” of the Pretoria 
"District ; it seems to prefer trees surrounded by matted scrub, in which 
it conceals itself on being alarmed. When found away from the matted 
scrub, it usually attempts, to hide behind the thicker branches of the trees, 
and when finding itself watched, darts off to another tree. Its movements 
are restless and remind one of the Priniidae rather than the Cisticolidae, 
and I have no doubt that the nest will prove to be like those of the former, 
or perhaps intermediate between the two. I have not so far heard it utter 
a sound. In winter it is usually found in family parties, and in summer 
in pairs. A female shot on 14th December, was searching restlessly for 
insects, and when pursued made off in a certain direction, no doubt 
towards its nest, as it proved to have the ovaries much enlarged and 
was either “ sitting ” or had just hatched its eggs. 
Specimens in the Transvaal Museum collection : — 
No. 
Locality. 
Date. 
Sex. 
Wing. 
Tail. 
Tars. 
Culm. 
6839 
Pretoria District. . . 
12 12 /10 
<? 
62 
58 ? 
20 
12 -5 
9178 
>5 • • * 
14/12/11 
9 
55 
55 
19 
12 
6836 
1') • • • 
27/9/10 
9 
54 
60 
19 
13 
8953 
5 5 • • • 
29/4/11 
9 (juv.) 
55 
62 
19 
12 
6834 
Nylstroom 
7/8/09 
3 
62 
66 
21 
13 
6835 

6/8/09 
3 
59 
62 
21 
13 
6838 
JJ 
7/8/09 
■ 9 
54 
57 
19 
12 
9519 
Matoppos 
7 /I /05 
<? ( 9 ) 
52 
51 
18 
11 
Note. — Those in winter plumage have the dark centres to the feathers of the back 
less conspicuous, and the under surface of body slightly more ochreous than those in summer 
plumage. The juvenile specimen has the marks on the tail-feathers less clearly defined 
(this mark in adults being broad, extending across both webs, and sharply marked off from 
the remaining reddish colour of the feather) ; the under surface is also more ochreous on 
the under surface of body than in the adults in winter dress. 
Group VI — Cisticola ( Drymodyta ) tinniens. 
(1) Tail usually longer than wing, but not exceeding 110 % ; (2) first 
primary 52-56 % length of second ; (3) tail rather slender and stiff : (4) 
beak rather weak, equal in length to middle toe and half the claw ; (5) inner 
toe rather longer than outer, its nail reaching just beyond the base of 
middle claw ; (6) middle claw half length of toe ; (7) little noticeable 
seasonal change, except in males, which in winter become streaked on the 
crown. Inhabits rank grass and weeds on the banks of open rivers, 
streams, and reservoirs ; voice a melancholy “ cheep ” when alarmed. 
Cisticola tinniens (Lichtenstein).* 
Plate — Smith’s 111. “ Zool. of S.A.,” PI. 73, fig. 2 (as Drymoica levail- 
lanti). 
The following is copied from Smith’s description : — “ The upper parts 
Verz. einer Samml. v. Saug., u. Vog. Kafir., p. 13 (1842). 
