PARASITIC WEAVERBIRDS 



27 



Figure 1. — Similarity of mouth markings of viduines and their hosts (after R. Neunzig, 

 1929b, figs. 1-6): 1, Estrilda astrild and Vidua macroura; 2, Granatina ianthinogaster 

 and V. fischeri; 3, Estrilda erythronotos delanurei and V. hypocherina; 4, Pytilia melba 

 and Steganura faradisaea; 5, Lagonosticla senegala; 6, V. chalybeata. 



In Vidua regia the pattern remains undescribed as yet, a gap that 

 could be filled by careful observation in Southern Rhodesia or Bechu- 

 analand or the western Transvaal. Because this species is supposed 

 to parasitize chiefly grenadier weavers (Oranatina) , the same host 

 used by the straw-tailed widow bird, V. -fischeri, it would bo well to 

 know if the buccal patterns of these parasites are alike. 



In Vidua chalybeata (fig. 1, no. 6), Neunzig showed a condition 

 similar to that in V. hypocherina, another indication that the latter 

 is of all the long-tailed widow birds the nearest to the combassous. 

 The only difference is in the size and shape of the reflection tubercles. 



