Ploceidce of the Ethiopian Region. 3 



19. Sporopipes. 

 1847. Sporopipes, Cab. Arch. f. Naturg. Type. ■« 



1847, p. 332 S. sqtiamifrons . 



This is a well-marked genus; the covering of the nostrils 

 by feathers is a character entirely peculiar to it, and it shows 

 no very close affinities to any other of the genera. The nest, 

 which I believe to be well figured in Smith's 111. Zool. S. Afr., 

 much resembles that of an Estrelda ; but the structural 

 characters of the two species, especially the possession of a 

 large bastard primary, refer them to the present subfamily. 



Key to the Species. 



a. Smaller. Back of the head and nape of the 



same colour as the mantle 108. 8. squamifrons. 



b. Larger. Back of the head and nape rufous, 



mantle paler brown 109. »S'. frontalis, 



108. Sporopipes squamifrons. 



Estrelda squamifrons, Smith, Rep. Exp. Expl. Centr. Afr. 

 1836, p. 49. 



Fringilla lepidopterus, Licht. 1842, fide Bp. Consp. i, 1850, 

 1836, p. 444. 



Euplectes lepidopterus , Hartl. Syst. Verz. Brem. 1844, 

 p. 69. 



Amadina squamifrons, Smith, III. Zool. S. Afr. 1844, pi. 95. 



Sporopipes lepidopterus, Cab. Arch, f, Naturg. viii. 1847, 

 p. 332. 



Philceter'us squamifrons, Strickl. & Sclater, Contr. Orn. 

 1852, p. 150. 



Sporopipes squamifrons, Sharpe, Cat. Afr. B. 1871, p. 61. 



Hub. S.Africa: Matabele, Bamangwato, Transvaal, Orange 

 river. Great Naraaqua, Damara, and Benguela. 



a, h. September and October, Matabele-land. c. January, 

 Rustenburg. These are all in full plumage. 



109. Sporopipes frontalis. 



Loxia frontalis, Daud. Traite Orn. ii. 1880, p. 445, Senegal. 

 Senegali a front pointelle, Vieill. Ois. Chant. 1805, p. 39, 

 pi. 16. 



Fringilla frontalis, Vieill. N. D, xii. 1817, p. 181. 



b2 



