The structures of the title compounds, C(16)H(14)N(4), (I), and C(15)H(14)N(4), (II), respectively, have been determined, and their molecular packing arrangements compared. Both are essentially flat molecules, with respective dihedral angles between the quinoline and heterocyclic rings of 19.0 (1) and 8.5 (2) degrees. The pyridyl derivative, (I), packs in a P2(1)/c unit cell, while in the pyrrolyl compound, (II), the molecules pack in Pca2(1) and form a crinkled ribbon arrangement through the association of pyrrole NH groups with the quinoline N atoms.