Okavango and in Damara Land : it is migratory and amongst the
earlier arrivals. It sings deliciously, and is found in small flocks
hopping about industriously among the branches of the smaller
trees, preferring such as have a thick tangled foliage, which it slowly
examines for insects and larvae.
Adult Male.—General colour above dull olivaceous rather greyer
on the rump and upper tail-coverts : wings brown, the quills and
Coverts with lighter greyish edgings, apparently the remains of
worn plumage: tail brown with paler edgings to the feathers : head
clearer olivaceous and slightly more yellow than the back : lores and
an indistinct superciliary line pale yellow : round the eye a ring of
yellow feathers: ear-coverts olivaceous with narrow shaft-lines of
yellowish white : cheeks and entire under surface of body pale yellow
including the thighs and under tail-coverts : under wing-coverts and
axillaries very pale yellow: inner lining of quills ashy brown, with
whitish edgings along the inner web from the base upwards : “ upper
mandible brownish, with yellowish tips and edges, the under mandible
yellow tinged with flesh colour : ring round the eyes light yellow :
gape melon-yellow: legs and toes slate-coloured: iris brown.”
(Andersson). Total length, 5'4 inches; wing, 3'0; tail,2'2; tarsus,0‘85.
Fig. Dresser, B. Bur. part xxviii.
280. P hylloscopus t r o c h ilu s . European Willow Warbler.
Sylvia trochilus, Layard, B. S. Afr. p. 102.
The European ‘Willow Wren5 visits South Africa during its
absence from Europe and it seems to be very generally distributed.
Mr. L. C. Layard shot several specimens along the banks of the
Liesbeck Biver near Cape Town, and we have found it in the reeds
bordering the Berg River and in the neighbouring vleys. We
have also received it from Neks Poort near Beaufort and the late
Mr. Andersson procured a specimen at the Knysna. Mr. T. C.
Atmore found it not very uncommonly at Eland's Post and in the
vicinity of Grahamstown, while Mr. Ortlepp procured it during a
journey near the Sunday’s River. Mr. T. Ayres has forwarded a
single specimen from Natal to Mr. Gurney, and in Damara Land
Mr. Andersson met with it, as well as in Ondonga. He writes :—
“ I have observed this species in the neighbourhood of the Okavango.
It is rather lively in its habits, hopping incessantly among the
foliage, and even suspending itself head downwards from the buds
and flowerets of the trees, almost every part of which it explores in
search of the small insects which constitute its food.”
The following is a description of a South African specimen in the
British Museum:
Adult.—General colour above olivaceous brown, more strongly
washed with olivaceous on the lower back and rump and slightly on
the head; wings brown, the coverts and the quills externally washed
with olive greenish; tail ashy brown, the feathers edged with olive-
green ; lores and a distinct eyebrow yellowish white; in front of
the eye a spot of dusky brown; ear-coverts dull brown, slightly
washed with yellow; cheeks and under-surface of body whitish;
the chest distinctly washed with yellow, as also are the under tail-
coverts ; thighs greenish yellow; sides of body brown, washed and
streaked with yellow; under wing-coverts bright yellow, as also the
edge of the wing; “ bill brownish, lighter beneath and tinged with
yellow; legs and toes yellowish brown, but a narrow band at the
back of the legs and the soles of the feet are orange-yellow; iris
very dark-brown, almost black” (Andersson). Total length, 4'8
inches; culmen, 0'4; wing, 2'5; tail, 2'2; tarsus, 0'8.
Fig. Gould, B. Eur. pi. 131, fig 1.
281. E remomela f la v iv en t r is . Yellow-bellied Bush Warbler.
Drymoica brachyura, Layard, B. S. Afr. p. 95 (partimj.
This species was discovered by Dr. Burchell. Wahlberg obtained
it in “ Upper Caffraria,” both in the plains and in the woods, and this
locality is probably intended to indicate the Transvaal Republic,
where Mr. T. Ayres has met with it. He says that in appearance
and habits it resembles Zoster ops virens. Mr. Andersson procured
specimens at Walfisch Bay and at Otjimbinque, and he observes :—
“ This little bird is sparingly met with from the Okavango River on
the north to the Orange River on the south, but, on account of its
diminutive size and secluded habits, is probably often overlooked.
It is found in small families amongst dwarf vegetation, where it
diligently searches for small insects and their larvae. It is very
tame,, and is often found in company with other'small birds.”
The following description is from a specimen obtained by Mr.
Andersson in Damara Land:—
Adult female.—General colour above light ash-colour, the rump
lighter and slightly olivaceous; wings dark brown, the feathers