URZGINTHUS BENGALUS 187 
Hartert, Noy. Zool. 1901, p. 341 Niger ; Grant, Ibis, 1904, p. 258 
Harrar, Manniballa, Dedota. 
Granatina pheenicotis, Shelley, B. Afr. I. No. 398 (1896). 
Adult male. Above light drab brown; lower back and upper tail-coverts 
turquoise blue ; tail rather darker blue; wings with the coverts and edges 
of quills like the back, remainder of quills more dusky brown; under wing- 
coverts and inner edges of quills of a paler shade of brown than the mantle ; 
sides of forehead and head, chin, throat and sides of body turquoise blue, 
with a large patch of crimson on the ear-coverts; centre of breast, thighs 
and under tail-coverts pale drab, of the same shade as the under wing- 
coverts. ‘‘ Iris yellowish ; bill orange red, with the tip and the cutting edges 
black.” Total length 4:5 inches, culmen 0:4, wing 2:0, tail 2:1, tarsus 0°55. 
3, 27. 4. 01. Gambaga (Alexander). 
Adult female. Similar to the male, but differs in having the sides of the 
head browner, with no patch of red. Total length 4:7 inches, culmen 0:4, 
wing 2:0, tail 2:0, tarsus 0°55. 2, 27.4.01. Gambaga (Alexander). 
The Ruby-cheeked Cordon-bleu inhabits Tropical Africa 
between 17° N. lat. and 10° 8. lat. 
From Senegambia probably came the type of Estrelda 
phemicotis, which name has been wrongly but most frequently 
used by English ornithologists. I made some remarks on this 
subject (Ibis, 1886, p. 336), but objected to the use of bengalus, 
Linn., as confusing, the species not being a native of Bengal, 
which objection might not be admitted at the present day ; 
there was, however, no justice in setting aside both Fringilla 
bengalus, Linn., 1776, and Hstrelda mariposa, Less, 1881, for 
Estrelda phenicea, Swains., 1837. 
Marche and De Compiégne have collected specimens at 
Dakar, Joal and Bathurst. At the Gambia Dr. Rendall took 
a nest containing seven white eggs; this nest was built in the 
long grass and was a slight structure. In the same district 
Mr. Budgett found it very abundant on MCarthy Island. 
Verreaux received it from Casamanse, and specimens have 
been procured at Bissao by Baudouin and Fea. 
