Ploceidae of the Ethiopian Region. 351 



This is a very well-defined compact genus, composed of 

 thirteen species, of which ten are very strongly marked ; the 

 other three, P. scioana, Salvad., P. taha, Smith, and P. 

 sticta, Heugl.( = P. ladoensis, Reichen.), have been frequently 

 confounded, but are, I consider, undoubtedly good species. 



To the surrounding genera, CoVmspasser and Quelea, they 

 show a marked affinity in the colouring of their winter dress. 



Key to the Species. 



«. Under surface of the wiugs entirely "black. 



a^. Crown, neck, and lower back orange-red ; 

 mantle reddish fawn-colour ; upper half of 



throat black 91. P. Jlammiceps, 



6'. Front half of the crown black ; mantle yellow ; 

 rump and upper tail-coverts brown ; black 



of throat confined to chin 92. P. gieroioi. 



b. Under surface of the wings not black. 

 c\ Entire neck red. 



(P. Upper and under tail-coverts and pale por- 

 tion of the abdomen not red 93. P. frieckr?'chsoni. 



d^. Upper and under tail-coverts and pale por- 

 tion of the abdomen red. 



(P. Chin and upper throat black 94. P. orix, 



e^. Chin and entire throat red. 



e*. Entire upper half of the head black . . 95. P. franciscana. 

 /*. Black on upper half of the head con- 

 fined to the forehead 96. P. nigrifrons. 



d\ Crown and back half of the neck red ; entire 



throat black 97. P. nigriventris. 



«\ Forehead and front of crown red ; remainder 



of the head and neck black 98. P. diademata. 



f^. Entire head black ; back orauge-^-ellow .... 99. P. aiirea. 

 g^. Crown, lower back, and upper and under tail- 

 coverts bright yellow. 

 g^. With no yellow collar across the lower 

 throat. 

 g^. Larger : wing 2'8 inches ; with no yellow 



on the chest 100. P. seioana. 



}?. Smaller : wing 2'5 to 2-2 inches ; witli a 

 yellow patch on each side of the crop. 

 /('. Larger : wing 2-4 to 2'5 inches ; sides 

 (if the body between the crop-patch 

 and thigh not mottled with yellow. . 101. P. tuha. 



