474 Messrs. Sclater and Mackworth-Praed on [Ibis, 



and P. g. ugandce, P. g. suahelicuSf and P. g. griseus are 

 so close that only in a large series can any difference be 

 detected. 



Passer swainsoni swainsoni. 



Pyrgita swainsoni Riipp. N. Wirb., Vog. 1835, p. 94, 

 pi. 33. fig. 2 : N.E. Africa. 



? Pyrgita crassirostris Heugl. J. £. O. 1867, p. 299 : 

 Fazogli. 



Passer griseus ahyssinicus Neum. Bull. B. O. C. xxi. 1908, 

 p. 70 : Mareb R. 



We tliink it necessary to keep this bird as a separate 

 species. It appears not to interbreed with any races of 

 the low-ground P. griseus, and in Somaliland and Eritrea 

 seems to occur side by side with them. 



Uuderparts uniform dusky, with traces of lighter colour 

 on the throat and abdomen. The under tail-coverts with 

 dark centres and light edges, giving a mottled appearance. 

 Wing 85-90 mm. 



Range. Highlands of Abyssinia,, Eritrea, and Somaliland. 

 A single bird from Port Sudan in the Butler collection 

 would appear to be somewhat distinct. It is smaller, wing 

 80 mm. ; underside clearer grey ; back greyer brown ; head 

 lighter grey. More material from that locality is desirable. 

 We think that the name Pyrgita crassirostris of Heuglin 

 is referable to the present form and was based on a particu- 

 larly brightly coloured specimen. The description precludes 

 its being P. g. eritrea, which is the form one would expect 

 to occur at Eazogli ; and the size, not to mention the locality, 

 precludes its being P. s. gongonensis as Shelley suggests. 



Passer swainsoni gongonensis. 



Pseudosiruthus gongonensis Oust. Le Naturaliste, 1890, 

 p. 274 : Grongoni. 



Range. From the coast of British East Africa inland to 

 Baringo. 



Larger than P. s. swainsoni, and with a considerably thicker 

 bill. Underparts completely uniform, often with a tinge of 

 rust-colour. Wing 95-100 mm. 



At Lamu this bird occurs side by side with a race of 



