250 LAGONOSTICTA RHODOPAREIA 
scattered grass-seeds on the earth. ‘They were shy, and quickly 
concealed themselves on our approach, both sexes uttering 
a peculiar low plaintive song or call-note.” The species was 
not previously known from further west than the Gold Coast. 
The typical specimens, three in number, I shot out of small 
flocks close to Cape Coast Castle on March 6, when they were 
in full plumage. Here the species is nearly as abundant as 
L. rufopicta, which it resembles in its habits, both being met 
with in small parties frequenting the thick bush, where they 
are often to be seen feeding in the paths. 
Ussher also procured the species in Fantee, and Dr. Biittner 
one at Bismarckburg in Togoland. Dr. Hartert found these 
Fire-finches abundant at the Niger and obtained a specimen at 
Loko in May. 
Lagonosticta rhodopareia. (Pl. 34, fig. 1.) 
Lagonosticta rhodopareia, Heugl. J. f. O. 1868, p. 16 Keren; Sharpe. 
Cat. B. M. xiii. p. 282 (1890); Shelley, B. Afr. I. No. 424 (1896) ; 
Reichen. Vég. Afr. iii. p. 200 (1904). 
Adult male. Front and sides of forehead crimson; crown and back of 
neck slate colour, distinctly tinged with crimson ; back and wings dark brown; 
upper tail-coverts and sides of basal half of tail-feathers crimson, with the 
remainder of the tail black; sides of head and neck, throat, chest and flank 
crimson, with a few white spots on sides of chest; centre of lower half of 
breast, thighs and under tail-coverts black. ‘‘ Iris brown; bill dark slate 
colour ; legs black.’”’ Total length 4:2 inches, culmen 0°35, wing 1°96, tail 1:8, 
tarsus 0°55. g, 30.11.99. Nairobe (Delamere). 
Female. Differs from the adult male and resembles ZL. congica in having 
the crown, ear-coverts, back and sides of neck dusky grey, with no red shades. 
It differs from LZ. congica in having the head in front of the eyes and the 
forehead ruby crimson ; chin, throat, chest and flanks buffy brown, strongly 
washed with crimson. ‘Iris brown; bill dark slate colour; legs black.” 
9, 24.1.00. Gessima R. (Delamere). 
The Rosy Black-bellied Fire-finch ranges from Nyasaland 
to Bogos. 
