256 Annals of the Transvaal Museum. 
Cisticola pusilla Gun. and Rbts. 
The following description is copied from the original (Annals T.M., 
1911, p. 118) 
“ Very similar to C. rufa of West Africa, but readily distinguished by 
its longer first primary, which exceeds half the length of the second. 
“ Upper surface pale rufous brown, the crown darker ; lores, chin, 
throat and middle of abdomen white ; flanks and thighs brownish buff, 
remaining under surface pale bufhsh ; under wing-coverts silky vinous 
buff ; tail feathers very broad, the central pair like the back, but having 
a broad dark sub terminal smudge and pale tip ; the remaining tail feathers 
with the subterminal mark more pronounced ; primaries and secondaries 
dusky, with rufous outer and whitish inner margins ; wing-coverts like 
the back. Iris grey, maxilla brown, the lower mandible pale brownish 
pink ; legs and feet pale pinkish yellow. Length 109, wing 48, tail 38 (?), 
tarsus 21, culmen 11 mm.” The female is smaller, measuring : wing 42, 
tail 38 mm. The type was collected in Boror and the co-type near Beira. 
Little has been recorded of the habits of this species. Grant in writing 
of specimens collected near Beira (presumably of this species) states : 
“ This species was only found near Beira, where it was not uncommon. I 
have only observed it singly ; it frequents the long grass and vegetation 
in the vleis and the borders of woods and deserted native lands. It is 
very active in habits, the call being a squeaky note ; flight is seldom 
indulged in.” 
Group XII — Cisticola ierrestris. 
(1) Tail in summer 58-75 %, in winter 80-90 % length of wing ; (2) 
first primary 40-53 % length of second ; (3) tail broad and stiff, especially 
during the summer ; (4) beak strong, but narrow and sharp, equal in length 
to the middle toe without claw or a little shorter ; (5) inner toe longer 
than outer, its claw reaching beyond base of middie claw ; (6) middle 
claw less than half the length of toe ; (7) seasonal change of plumage very 
marked. Inhabits open grassy veld. 
Cisticola terrestris . (A. Smith).* 
Plate— Smith’s 111. “ Zool. of S.A.,” PL 74, fig. 2. 
The following is a copy of Smith’s original description 
Top of head and interscapulars umber-brown, variegated with 
yellowish brown, from all the feathers being edged and tipped with the 
latter colour ; the back of the neck, the back and the shoulders clear 
yellowish brown dashed with longitudinal umber-brown streaks, one streak 
along the middle of each feather — the variegations few and indistinct on 
the back. Tail-coverts umber-brown, margined and tipped with yellowish 
brown. The sides of the head and neck pale yellowish brown, the latter 
behind fading into white. The primary and secondary quill coverts umber- 
brown along their centres, wood-brown at edges and tips. Primary and 
secondary quill-feathers broccoli-brown, narrowly margined externally 
with dull wood-brown; tertiary quill feathers umber-brown, broadly margined 
* Zool. of South Africa, Plate 74, fig. 2 (1849). 
