122 TEPHROCORYS. 



ward to the Blue Nile, and in Abyssinia, as a winter visitor, 

 when it is to be met with in flocks in the fields and waste land, 

 and is very shy. Riippell's specimens came from Dongola. 

 Mr. Hawker has recently procured a male and two females, at 

 Wad Thali, on February 2, 1901, during his excursion up the 

 Nile, and I have taken my descriptions from these specimens. 



Genus XIII. TEPHROCORYS. 



Bill somewhat Finch-like in form ; nostrils hidden by plumelets. Wing 

 of nine primaries only ; the first three the longest and nearly equal ; first 

 primary with a pure white outer edge ; secondaries reaching nearly or quite 

 to the end of the wing. Tarsi and feet moderate ; the hind claw shorter 

 than the hind toe. Sexes similar in plumage. Adults with the crown 

 nearly uniform bright rufous, and generally with a large uniform rufous or 

 black patch on each side of the throat. Young with the crown and sides 

 of crop blackish. 



Type. 



Tcphrocorys, Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1874, p. 633 T. cinerea. 



This genus is confined to the African continent, and is 

 represented by two well marked species, T. cinerea and 

 T. rujicepa, to which I liave added a new species, T. blanfordi, 

 founded upon a specimen procured by Dr. Blanford, at Senafe, 

 in Northern Abyssinia. 



KEY TO THE SPECIES. 



a. Crown rufous (Adults). 



a"-. Forehead bright rufous like the crown ; a 

 patch of uniform bright rufous on the 



sides of the crop cinerea. 



a'''. Less rufous on the flanks ; (?) adults after 

 the first moult. 

 a'-'. Darker. Winter plumage . typical cinerea. 

 b^. Paler. Breeding plumage faded. 



type of spleniata. 





