from the Niger Reyion. 549 



this bird, because Frwgilla simplex, Licht. (Verz. Doubl. 1823, 

 p. 24), is a different species ; therefore the W. -African form, 

 if it is to be kept separate from P. diffusus (Smith), requires 

 a name ; and I here propose for it Passer occidentalis, on 

 account of its being the western representative of this little 

 group. 



In Africa there have generally been recognized as distinct 

 species three closely allied forms of Sparrows : — 



1. P. diffusus, Smith, Rep. Exp. Expl. Ceutr. Afr. 1836, 

 p. 50. 



2. P. simplex. Swains, (nee Licht. 1823), B. W. Afr. i. 

 1837, p. 208. 



3. P. swainsoni, Riipp. Neue Wirb. Vog. 1835-40, p. 94, 

 pi. 33. fig. 2. 



Swainson, as stated in his work, named the W. -African 

 form P. simplex on the authority of Riippell; therefore it 

 appears almost certain that P. swainsoni, Riipp., was published 

 subsequently. For the very obvious reason that P. diffusus, 

 Smith, was published the year prior to P. simplex. Swains., 

 that name must be the oldest of the three. Therefore, should 

 these three forms be united, as Drs. Hartlaub and Finsch 

 propose (/. c), as races of one species, then Passer diffusus 

 (Smith) should be the name adopted for them collectively ; 

 and this appears to me to be the correct view to take. 



51. CuiTHAGRA CHRYSOPYGA. 



Crithayra chrysopya, Swains. B. W. Afr. i. 1837, p. 206, 

 pi. 17 ; Hartl. Orn. W.Afr. p. 154. 



a, not labelled. 



52. Fringillaria septemstriata. 



Emheriza septemstriatu, Riipp. Neue Wirb. 1835-40, p. 86, 

 pi. 30. fig. 2. 



Frinydlaria septemstriata, Hartl. Orn. W.Afr. 1857, p. 152. 

 a, not labelled. 



53. Pyrenestes ostrinus. 



Loxia ostrina, A^ieill. Ois. Chant. 1805, p. 79, pi. 48. 

 Pyrenestes sanyuineus. Swains. B. W. Afr. i. p, 156, pi. 9. 

 Pyrenestes ostrinus, Hartl. Orn. W.Afr. p. 139. 



