SYLVIA OBSCURA. 
strong, anteriorly scutellated, posteriorly entire ; toes moderately long and 
rather slender ; claws rather long, slender, pointed, and slightly curved, the 
claw of the hinder toe much the strongest, and the most curved. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Inches. 
ngth from the point of the bill to the 
Lines. 
Length of the tarsus 
Inches. 
0 
Lines. 
104 
base of the tail 2 
9 
outer toe 
0 
3 
of the tail 2 
6 
middle toe 
0 
5 
bill to the angle of mouth 0 
8 
inner toe 
0 
3 
wings when folded 2 
3 
hinder toe 
0 
H 
The colours of the male are not known. 
The only specimen of this species which I have seen was procured near Latakoo (Kuru- 
man), and was, at the time it was shot, flitting about from shrub to shrub. Its stomach 
contained the debris of small insects. 
Having been unable to refer this bird to any of the existing small groups of the 
Sylviada, I have classed it in the once-comprehensive group Sylvia, under a conviction 
that an able revision of the family will result in a material diminution of the number of 
subdivisions at present existing. 
