82 
Mr. B. Alexander —An Ornithological 
93. Locustella fluvjatilis (Wolf). 
It is interesting to have obtained this European Warbler so 
far south as the Zambesi, since it was hitherto only known 
to winter in the north of Africa. 
Our single specimen was shot on Christmas Day in a thick 
belt of reeds near the river. It was silently threading the 
fish-cane in company with several Reed-Warblers (Lusciniola 
gracVirostris ). 
The exact locality was 30 miles above Zumbo, on the 
river. 
The specimen obtained was a female, iris brown. 
94. Acrocephalus arundinaceus (Linn.). 
It was towards evening on Nov. 21, after a storm, that we 
first observed near Zumbo the Great Reed-Warbler. 
As is often the case in the Tropics after rain, the reed-beds 
suddenly became alive with birds, chiefly Reed-Warblers and 
Weavers, and though dusk had almost fallen these birds found 
time to rejoice, making their presence known by their voices, 
each in its separate key. 
The gruff croak of the Great Reed-Warbler would come 
from somewhere in the middle of the thick reeds, and this was 
hut a prelude to its song, for the next moment the bird would 
suddenly appear, scaling gracefully some prominent reed in 
order to gain its top, whence to utter its loud Sedge-Warbler¬ 
like song, while in the lowest depths the Weavers, without 
ever stopping to take breath, poured out their running 
voluble chatter. And though the silence of the lonely reed- 
beds was marred by all these bird noises, it was at times 
enlivened by the exquisite song of Lusciniola gracilirostris . 
95. Acrocephalus palustris (Bechst.). 
Adult <$ (Dec. 23, near Zumbo). Total length (measured 
in flesh) 5*4 inches, wing 2*5. Iris brown; upper mandible 
brown, lower horn-colour ; legs flesh-colour; feet greenish 
brown, pads yellow; throat orange. 
Adult S (Dec. 26). Total length (measured in flesh) 
5*1 inches, wing 2*56. 
