DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines.
Length from the point of the bill
to the tip of the tail. . . . 3 11
of the bill to the angle of the
m outh............................. 0
of the wings when folded . . 1 11
of the ta il.................. 1 7^
M a l e .— Not known.
Inches. Lines
Length of the tarsus ...................; 0 9^
of the outer t o e .................. 0 4
of the middle toe . . . . . . . 0
of the inner toe. . . . . . . . . 0 3^
of the hinder toe . . . . . . . . 0 3 1
This species occurs within the limits of the Cape Colony; but is a rare bird as compared
with D . te x tr ix . Like the latter, it inhabits situations covered with strong grass, and seeks its
food, which consists of small insects, either on the ground or upon the grass itself, along the
stalks of which it runs with great facility. It also perches upon small shrubs. The absence
of anything like brown spots on the breast forms at once a character by which it is distinguishable
from D . te x tr ix , and the colour of the upper parts, added to the greater size of the
bill and feet, constitute diagnostic characters by which it is to be recognized from D . terrestria.