325 
from the Colony of Natal. 
199. Drymceca pallida, Smith. Pallid Drymceca. 
[Mr. Ayres does not furnish any particulars respecting this 
species.—J. H. G.] 
200. Cisticola ayresii, Hartl., sp. nov. (PI. VIII. fig. 2.) 
Ayres’s Cisticole. 
Male and female . Iris light brown; upper mandible dark 
hazel; under mandible pale; nostrils rather large and oval; 
tarsi and feet pale. 
These birds are common in the open country, frequenting 
much shorter grass than that frequented by Drymceca curviros- 
tris. Their nest is very beautifully constructed, amongst the fine 
stalks of grass, which are drawn together towards the top, a sort 
of purse or bag being made of the finest and whitest down and 
spiders’ webs and attached at the sides to the grass which sur¬ 
rounds it, the opening being on the top. On any intruder ap¬ 
proaching the nest, the birds generally mount overhead with a 
flitting eccentric flight, watching with anxiety the fate of their 
domicile. Their flight is tolerably strong; and when they have 
been disturbed once or twice, it is sometimes a difficult matter 
to get within shot of them. 
[Dr. Hartlaub writes to me with reference to this species:— 
“ The little Cisticola is new; it is distinguished from the Cisti¬ 
cola of Southern Europe, not only by much higher colours, but 
(what is much more important) considerably larger feet (the 
tarsi being shorter). 
“ The female of Cisticola europcea has never such a bright tint 
of yellow on the under part. 
“ As there is no doubt as to its being new, I have chosen for it 
the name of ayresii .” 
This species, to which Dr. Hartlaub has appropriately affixed 
the name of my friend Mr. Ayres, is figured in the accompany¬ 
ing plate from a female specimen in which the yellowish abdo¬ 
minal tint is more strongly marked than it is in another female 
which Mr. Ayres also transmitted, and which closely resembles 
the male bird. Dr. Hartlaub has favoured me with the follow¬ 
ing diagnosis of Cisticola ayresii : — 
“ Simillima Cisticolat europece ex Hispania, sed diversa coloribus 
