On the Genus Pyronielana. 57 



VIII. — Notes on the Genus Pyromelana (^Bishop Birds), 

 with reference in particular to the Seasonal Changes of 

 Plumage and JVidi/ication in Captivitt/ of P. oryx {^Red 

 Bishop Bird). By A. Duncan. 



This genus is according to Sclater ('Fauna of South Africa : 

 Birds/ vol. i. p. 12e5) represented in South Africa by three 

 species and two subspecies — P. oryx (Red Bishop Bird), 

 P. taha (Taha Bishop Bird), and P. capensis (Black-and- 

 Yellow Bishop Bird) constituting the former ; whilst the latter, 

 P. capensis minor (Smaller Yellow-and-Black Bishop Bird) 

 and P. capensis xanthomela;na (Black-thighed Bishop Bird), 

 only differ from P. capensis in minor characteristics. Since 

 the publication of the above work it may be noted that 

 P. oryx has itself been separated into two forms differing 

 only, though considerably, in size : the larger form, which 

 retains the old Latin and English names, being regarded as 

 a southern type confined to Cape Colony, and the smaller, 

 which is known as P. oryx sundevalli (Northern Red Bishop 

 Bird), as occurring in Natal, Zululand, the Transvaal, Rho- 

 desia, the Bechuanaland Protectorate, and German South- 

 west Africa. A species new to South Africa, but of wide 

 tropical distribution, P. flammiceps (Zambesi Bishop Bird), 

 has been added to the list, having been procured south of 

 the Zambesi, and the name of P. capensis minor has been 

 changed to P. capensis approximans upon the authority of 

 Reichenow [vide ' Annals of the South African Museum/ 

 vol. iii. part viii. 9, July 27th, 1905). 



As the range of P. capensis xanthomelwna does not extend 

 south of Rhodesia, I have no experience of this subspecies, 

 and my remarks only refer to those forms of P. oryx and 

 P. capensis which are found in the Transvaal and to P. taha. 



These birds are lovers of the borders of marshy ground, 

 and in their summer dress are conspicuous for their bright 

 and striking plumage, which, as a rule, arrests the attention 

 of the most casual observer. During the winter, on the 

 other hand, they are singularly inconspicuous in a garb of 



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