190 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



378. Vidua Ardens. (Bodd.) PL Eni, 647; 



riza Panayensis, Gmel. ; E. Signata, Scop., Sonn. 

 Voy., t. 75 ; Vidua Lenocinia, Less., Tr. d' Orn., p. 

 437 ; V. Torquata, Less. ; V. Rubritorques, Swain., 

 West. Af., XI, p. 174 ; Pentheria Eubritorgues, Bp. 

 Consp., 1, p. 448. 



MALE, in full breeding plumage, generally velvet-black, with 

 a broad half collar beneath of brilliant scarlet ; wings, thighs, 

 under tail-coverts, and rump striped with grey, that colour 

 being on the edges of the feathers ; tail elongated. Total 

 length, 10" 6"' ; tail, 7" ; wing, 3" ; tarsus, 11'". 



Inhabits the country beyond the Kei (from whence it has been sent 

 by Mr. H. Bowker) and Natal. It does not appear within the colony. 



Genus CHERA, J. R. Gray. 



Characters in common with Vidua ; but the wings long, 

 with the first quill spurious, the second, third, and fourth 

 slightly graduated, and the fifth and sixth nearly equal, but 

 the fifth the longest ; tail and its coverts much lengthened, 

 compressed, and arched. 



379. Chera PrOgne. (Bodd.) PL Enl, 635 ; Orange- 

 shouldered Bunting, or Ka/rarian Grosbeak ; Cuv., 

 Vol. 2, p. 1 5 ; Vidua Phcenicoptera, Swain. ; Loxia 

 Caffra, Gmel.; Shaw, Vol. 24, PL 1, p. 17; Shaw, 

 Vol. IX., Pt. 2, p. 286 ; Emberiza Longicauda, Gmel. ; 

 Shaw, Vol. IX., Pt. 2, p. 422. 



5 General colour, glossy-black ; shoulders fulvous and 

 brilliant crimson ; tail enormously developed. 9 , or young 

 5 : general colour, pale yellowish-brown ; the centre of 

 each feather being darker, approaching in some instances 

 to black, give the bird a mottled appearance ; wing-feathers 

 black, with pale, yellowish- brown edges; tail-feathers umber- 

 brown, with light edges ; shoulders showing a bright orange 

 patch. Length, 21" ; wing, 6" ; tail, 16". 



I have only procured this species from the Eastern side of the colony. 

 It is said to be very common in Kaffraria ; and Mr. Arnot has sent 

 several specimens (the 9 or young 5 here described, among the 

 number) from Colesberg. 



I am informed that in the breeding season, when the male has 

 assumed his nuptial livery and long tail-feathers, his flight is so 

 laboured that the children constantly run them down. They are quite 



