340 Captain G. E. Shelley on the 



and may, I think, have been found to be a made-up bird 

 and destroyed. So much doubt do I feel with regard to this 

 bird, that I think until it is rediscovered, or the type care- 

 fully examined, it might with advantage be omitted from the 

 African list. 



V. paradisea has generally been divided into two species — 

 the typical race fi'om W. Africa, and Vidua verreauxi, Cass., 

 from E. and S. Africa ; but their differences I consider of too 

 trivial a nature to be recognized with any advantage. The 

 only character I can find for V. verreauxi is the absence of 

 any chestnut shade on the hind neck. There is no constant 

 difference in their measurements. In six specimens in the 

 British Museum from the Gambia, five have the chestnut 

 shade on the back of the neck, and one is without that 

 shade. 



Key to the Species, 

 a. Bill red. 



a\ Elongated tail-feathers of moderate breadth 

 throughout their length. Breast black or 

 white in adults. 

 a'^. With four elongated tail-feathers, black. 



fl^. Entire plumage glossy greenish black . . 73. V. hypocherina. 



¥. Underparts white 74. V. principnlis. 



b". With t^\•o elongated tail-feathers, white . . 75. V. superciJiosa. 

 ¥. Elongated tail-feathers very narrow. Under- 

 parts buff. 

 C-. Four centre tail-feathers white and equally 

 •narrow throughout their length. Crown 

 buff. Neck and sides of the head black . . 7<). 7 '. /ischeri. 

 (I-. Centre tail-feathers black and extremely 

 narrow, widening out near their ends. 

 Ci'own black. Neck, ear-coverts, and throat 



buft' 77. V. redid. 



h. Bill black. Four elongated tail-feathers very 

 broad, narrowing towards then- ends. Entire 

 liead and throat black 78. V. parndisea. 



73. Vidua hypocherina. 



Vidua hypocherina, Verr. Rev. et Mag. Zool. 1856, p. 260, 

 pi. 16 (bad), W. Afr. (type exam.). 



Vidua ftplendem, Reichen. Orn. Cciitralbl. 1871), ]i. 1<S0, 



