ESTRILDA 191 
Melpoda, Reichenb. Singv. p. 26 (1863) . . . . . . H.melpoda. 
Brunhilda, Reichenb.i.c.p.48. .. ... . . . H.erythronota. 
Mormolycea, Reichenb. ¢.c.p.67 . . .. . . . . HE. larvata. 
Haplopyga (laps. cal.), Heugl. Orn. N. O. Afr. App. 
p. exxxvii. (1873) . Pee tek fae ue casera: 
The members of this genus, with the exception of H. rufibarba, which 
inhabits Southern Arabia, are confined to Tropical and South Africa. I have 
distinguished in my key thirty-six forms; of these the first nine might 
perhaps be united in H. astrild ; EH. marwitzi to HE. roseicrissa ; to EH. perreini 
the four forms following in my key. As local species I should recognise 
E. clarkei as the southern representative of H. subflava; E. elize as the 
Fernando Po representative of H. nonnula; and H. delamerei as the 
northern representative of H. erythronota. H. charmosyna is the oldest 
name for HZ. nigrimentum, Salvadori. 
KEY TO THE SPECIES AND MINOR DIVISIONS. 
a. A crimson band through the eye in adult males. 
a1, Upper parts distinctly barred ; bill of one colour; head 
alike in both sexes; red eye-band absent only in young 
birds. 
a?, Under tail-coverts black; upper tail-coverts barred ; 
bill red. 
a’. Less red on plumage; no crimson shade on mantle. 
a*. Adult males, with a sharply defined vermilion 
band down the centre of lower breast. 
a®. Sides of head and upper throat less pure white 
(South Africa and St. Helena). 
a®. Rarely any trace of red on upper tail- 
coverts. 
a7. Darker; upper parts more dusky brown. cavendishi. 
b7, Paler; upper parts more earthy brown . astrild. 
b&. Some crimson on upper tail-coverts or base 
| 
of tail. 
c’. Upper parts paler ; less red on upper tail- 
covertsandtail . .... . =. . . damarensis. ! 
d?,. Upper parts darker ; more red on upper 
tail-coverts and tail. .. . . . . . . sancte-helene. 
65, Sides of head and upper throat pure white. . minor. 
b*. Sexes alike in colouring; breast more pink, with 
no bright vermilion; sides of head and upper 
throat pure white or tinted with pink. 
