PENTHETRIA HARTLAUBI. 461 
449, Purnraerrta Axinnaris, Smith. Red-shouldered Widow Bird. 
Vidua azillaris, Layard, B. 8. Afr. p. 189, 
Sir Andrew Smith procured but one specimen of this bird, the 
male here described. When shot it was perched upon some bushes 
growing out of some marshy ground in Kafirland. Mr. T. Ayres 
obtained it in Natal, whence we have seen a number of specimens in 
Captain Shelley’s collection, obtained by Mr. Gordge in the neigh- 
bourhood of Durban. Captain Harford sends us a fine male with 
the eggs, the nest having been found close to the ground, in the 
standing grass, and bemg in. shape like the Roodebec’s (Ustrelda 
astrild). The eggs are light verditer, rather thickly spotted and 
blotched with brown of various shades. Axis 10’’; diam. 7’’’. 
Mr. Rickard found this species breeding near East London in 
October and November ; they were very shy in their habits. 
General colour, velvet-black; shoulders reddish-orange, with 
brilliant crimson epaulettes; feathers of wings and tail black, with 
a greenish gloss, the former narrowly edged with pale-brown on the 
outer side. Length, 6” 6’’’ ; wing, 3” 6’’’; tail, 3’” 2’”. 
The male in non-breeding plumage is variegated dark brown on 
a whitish-grey ground; wing and tail-feathers almost black; the 
soulder patches unchanged; under parts almost white, faintly 
streaked with brown ; bill very plain horn-coloured. 
Fig. Smith, Ill. Zool. 8. Afr. Aves, pl. 17. 
450, Punruurria socacu (Sharpe). 
Orange-shouldered Widow Bird. 
This species replaces the foregoing in South-western Africa, 
where it was discovered by Senor Anchieta in Benguela. 
It may be briefly described as very similar to P. awillaris, but 
differing in having the shoulder patch orange instead of red. 
451. PrENnTHETRIA HARTLAUBI, Bocage. Hartlaub’s Widow Bird. 
Of this Widow Bird, which Professor Barboza du Bocage described 
in 1878, Senor Anchieta has sent a few specimens from Caconda in 
Benguela. According to Professor Bocage it is the largest member 
of the genus Penthetria, but the bright orange colour of the shoulder- 
spot distinguishes it at a glance, though at first sight it recalls Chera 
progne. 
The following translation of the original description is appended :— 
Be 
