202 BRONZE-HOODED BENGALY. 



composed of five divisions or types of form*, than 

 to call these latter sub-genera. 



On comparing the structure of this bird with the 

 last, we find that the base of the under mandible is 

 thicker than that of the upper, and that the hind- 

 toe is as long as the tarsus. We have been told 

 that most of these little Bengalies feed upon the 

 hard seeds of the African millet, and some other of 

 the tall grasses, or rather reeds, so common in the 

 swamps of that country ; this fact is in unison with 

 the hardness of their bill, while the structure of 

 their large slender feet and claws is precisely that 

 most adapted to secure a hold or footing on smooth 

 and upright stems. 



Upper plumage, light sepia or greyish-brown. 

 The whole of the head and neck, as far as the 

 breast, is of a deep brown, almost black, over which 

 is a gloss of lilac-bronze. There are also two other 

 dark bronzed patches, one on the sides of the breast 

 and the other upon the shoulder-covers, but these 

 have green reflections. The wings are the same as 

 the back, the edges of the quills being whitish, 

 assuming the appearance of half broken lines ; 

 lower part of the back, upper tail-covers, flanks, 

 and thighs, are crossed by numerous brown lines, 

 upon a whitish ground. All the under parts are 



* In this case Amadina, being one of these five divisions, 

 must be cancelled, and the species placed under Estrelda^ the 

 characters of which must be so altered as to embrace those of 

 its five types, namely, Estrelda (as here restricted), Amadina^ 

 Spermestes, Pytilia, and Erythura; all which will be charac- 

 terized in the forthcoming volumes of the Cabinet Cyclopedia. 



