DRYMOICA LEVAILLANTII. 
long, and moderately strong ; claws slender, and slightly curved, the claw of 
Inches. 
Length from the point of the bill to 
the tip of the tail 5 
of the bill to the angle of the 
mouth 0 
of the wings when folded ... 2 
of the tail 2 
pointed. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Lines. 
Inches. 
Lines. 
Length of the tarsus 
0 
9 
i 
of the outer toe 
0 
Si 
of the middle toe 
0 
5f 
fit 
of the inner toe 
0 
H 
3 
of the hinder toe 
0 
3i 
I H emale. — The colours the same as those of the male, only not so deep. 
This species is rather widely distributed over South Africa. In the vicinity of Cape Town it 
is not an uncommon bird, nor is it rare for at least some distance to the north of the Orange 
River. It resorts both to underwood and long grass, especially in situations where the latter is 
closely set and strong ; and it is found perhaps more frequently than any where else among 
rushes or slender reeds in the neighbourhood of marshes, or upon the edges of streams. Its 
food consists of insects, and in quest of these it flits quickly from spot to spot. Of the species 
of this genus it is one of the least wild, and specimens are easily obtained when its resorts are 
once discovered. Any unusual noise or appearance readily engages its attention, and leads it 
to ascend to the top or outside of the material upon which it may happen to be perched, in 
which position it is readily shot. It exhibits a slight peculiarity in respect of the length of the 
toes : in most of the species of Drymoica the outer and inner toes are nearly of equal length ; 
in this one, however, the inner toe is nearly as long as the middle toe, and palpably longer than 
the outer one. 
