NOVITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXV. 1918. 271 



4. Mesopicos xantholophus Harg. (Golden- crow net! Olive Woodpecker). 



(J 2, 9 2. Since my notes on tliis siiecies were published in the Ibis of 

 April 1916, I have received a nice series of this bird. 



Unfortunately, not having any specimens from West Africa with which to 

 compare my specimens, I am unable to state whether there are difierences. 



Reichenow gives the distribution as " Unter Guinea bis Njamnjam " — Njam- 

 njam being south of Soudan and north of the Belgian Congo. 



5. Tbripias namaquus intermedius C. Grant (Wliite-throated Woodpecker). 



S 5, 9 3. The difference between Uganda and East African birds is shght, 

 and birds from the former locahty can be matched with specimens from the 

 latter. On the whole, Uganda specimens are more clearly marked on the upper 

 and undersurface, but in many cases the breast is distinctly washed with brownish 

 black. 



These birds were not common. 



(i. Mesopicos ellioti Cass. (Elliot's Woodpecker). 



(J 1, ? 1. This species was decidedly scarce, only one pair being seen. The 

 distribution appears to be a rather wide one. It was described from Gabun 

 (Muni) and has been found in Cameroon. Possibly the West African birds may 

 differ slightly from eastern ones, but there is nothing tangible to separate them 

 on. A bird from Toro (Hartert, in litt.) agrees perfectly with the Elgon ones, 

 while one from the Mpanga forest is as richly coloured as Cameroon examples. 

 The bill varies in size individually. 



7. Dendropicos lafresnayi lepidus Cab. (Abyssinian Little Woodpecker). 



o 4, $ 5. These birds which I have placed under the above heading agree 

 with the description of the sub-species given by Grant in the Ihis, July 1915, and 

 also wth the wing measurements, males 87-88 mm., females 84-88 mm. 



In these birds the first and second primaries are uniform brownish black, 

 without any barring. 



8. Dendropicos lafresnayi '■ 



S 2. These two birds, with wings of 78 and 87 mm., are much clearer, darker 

 green above than the preceding subspecies, and the bars on the back are rather 

 more distinct. 



The fore part of the head is a brownish black, followed by a red patch, which 

 in turn is broadly succeeded by a broad black band on the hind neck. 



The second primary is barred, thus differing from D. I. lepidus. Further- 

 more the undersurface is greyish white broadlj' streaked with distinct black, 

 and lacking any yellowish wash. 



9. Yungipicus obsoletus Wagl. (Little Plain-backed Woodpecker). 



<J 2, $ 2. Two pairs of this somewhat rare httle Woodpecker were ob- 

 tained, on the way to Elgon. They are distinctly lighter on the back than East 

 African specimens (Fort Hall) and have wing measurements of 83 mm. 



They are fully adult, and besides having the tail more narrowly barred, lack 



