494 FOUDIA RUBRA 



Foudia rubra. 



Emberiza rubra, Gni. S. N. i. p. 877 (1788). 



Neshypbantes ruber, Sbelley, B. Afr. I. No. 499 (1896). 



Nesacauthis rubra, Sharpe, Cat. B. M. xiii. p. 485 (1890) Mauritius. 



Fringilla erythrocephala, Gm. S. N. i. p. 903 (1788). 



" Foudia martineti. Gray," Miill. J. f. 0. 1856, p. 114 Mauritius. 



Fringille cardaline, Vieill. Ois. Chant, p. 52, pi. 28 (1805). 



Adult male. Similar to Foudia eminentissima, but differs in its smaller 

 bill and the red not extending below the crop. Head, upper neck and 

 entire throat vermilion ; mantle olive, with brownish black centres to the 

 feathers ; lower back and upper tail-coverts olive, crossed by a broad vermilion 

 band; wings brownish black, median coverts with broad buff ends, greater 

 coverts with olive edges inclioing to white at their ends, quills more 

 narrowly edged with olive ; under wing-coverts olive shaded buff, inner 

 edges of quills buff; tail dark brown with narrow olive edges to the 

 feathers ; sides of head with a black patch extending from the base of the 

 upper mandible near the gape, round the eyes, and narrowing to a point at 

 the end of the ear-coverts ; breast, thighs and under tail-coverts dusky 

 olive, inclining to yehowish buff down the centre. Iris brown ; bill black ; 

 feet pale brown. Total length 5-1 inches, culmen 0-6, wing 2-8, tail 1-6, 

 tarsus 0-85. Mauritius. 



Adult female. Differs from the male in the absence of red on the 

 plumage ; crown, back and sides of neck, lower back and upper tail-coverts 

 uniform olive ; sides of head and the entire throat yellowish buff', incHning to 

 olive on the ear-coverts and to white on the chin, 5 , Mauritius (Bewsher). 



The Mauritius Fody is confined to the Island of Mauritius. 

 According to Mr. E. Newton its note resembles that of Zosterops 

 chloronotus. 



The nest is hung from the outer twigs of a bush or tree at 

 from 5 to 15 feet from the ground, is of an oval form, with 

 the entrance in the lower part ; externally it is decorated with 

 dead leaves, green moss, shreds of creepers, &c., and is warmly 

 lined with feathers. The eggs, three in number, are of a vei'y 

 pale blue, and measure 0'8 X 0"55. 



The nest has been figured (Rev. et Mag. Zool. 1850, p. 326, 

 pi. 6). 



