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ART. XIX. — Descriptions of new species of Birds of (lie genera Vidua, Cuvier, 

 EuPLECTES, Srvainson, and Pyrenestes, Swaiyison, specimens of which are in the 

 collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.* By John Cassin. 



VIDUA, Cuvier. 



V. ALBONOTATA, nobis. — Alarum tectricibus superioribus, minimis flavis, minoribus brunneo terminatis, et 

 majoribus albo terminatis, remigibus ad basin albis ; reliquis partibus Icete nigris. Rostro coerulescente, 

 margine utriusque mandibulis albo margaritacea. 



Long. tot. (exuviae) ab apice rostri usque ad finem caudte, 6.1 pol. alas 3, caudae 3 3-10 pollices. 



Hah. Natal, in Africa orientali. 



Space at the flexure of the wing, including the least wing coverts, yellow. 

 Primaries white at their bases to the extent of about one-third of their length ; greater 

 w'ing coverts also tipped with white, which, with that portion of the primaries of the 

 same colour, forms a conspicuous white spot on the wing. Lesser wing coverts 

 tipped with brown. 



All other parts of the plumage glossy black. 



Bill light blue, at the edges of the mandibles pearl)' white. 



Total length (of skin) from tip of bill to end of tail about 6| inches, wing 3, tail 

 3 3-10 inches. 



Hab. Port Natal; Eastern Africa. 



This bird belongs to that group of species which forms the genus Coliuspasser, 

 Riippel. From either of those species ( V. flavoptera, VieilL, V. macrocerca, Licht., 

 V. axillaris, A. Smith, and other species,) it may readily be distinguished by the 

 white spot on the wing, which is peculiar. 



Three specimens of this interesting species, all of which are labelled as coming 

 from Port Natal, by Mr. J. Verreaux, are included in the many valuable acquisitions 

 of this Academy, made through the judicious exertions of Mr. Edward Wilson. 



V. coNCOLOR, nobis. — Unicolor niger, rostro valido, conico, Cauda longissima. Habitu ViducB payanensis, 

 (Gm.) sed rostro majore plumisque alarum et cauda latioribus, sine vestigio collaris rubri, quod ad banc 

 speciem propriem est. 



Long. tot. (exuviae) ab apice rostri usque ad finem caudse 12 pol. alas 2 8-10, caudae 8i pollices. 

 Hab. Africa. 



Plumage entirely black, bill strong, conical, tail very long. 



General form and appearance of Vidua payanensis, (Gm.) but with no vestige of 



♦ From the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, vol. iv. p. 65, (June. 1848.) 



