242 MR. CASSIN'S DESCRIPTIONS OF 



the red collar which distinguishes that species; the bill is larger, and the tail and 

 quills also are broader. 



Total length (of skin) from tip of bill to end of tail about 12 inches, wing 2 8-10, 

 tail 8 1 inches. 



Hab. Africa. 



Of this species one specimen only is in the Rivoli collection, without label. 



It is nearly related to the Vidua payanensis, (Gm.) which appears to be the 

 V. rubritorques, Swainson, but has the bill larger than either of ten specimens of the 

 latter which I have examined. The entire absence of the red collar is, however, the 

 most striking distinguishing character. 



EUPLECTES, Swainson. 



E. NiGROVENTRis, nobis. — Partibus superioribus coccineis, exceptis alis et cauda, fuscescentibus marginibus 

 pallidioribus. Genis, partibusque inferioribus, a basi rostri, intense nigris, exceptis tibiis et crissa, albo 

 rufescentibus. 



Long. tot. (exuviae) ab apice rostri usque ad finem caudae, 41 pol., alee 2 3-10, caudae li pol. 

 Hah. Zanzibar. 



Entire upper parts of the plumage, scarlet, except the wings and tail, which are 

 hair brown with paler margins. 



Cheeks and entire under parts of the body, from the base of the bill, deep black, 

 except the thighs and inferior tail coverts, which are pale reddish white. 



Total length (of skin) from tip of bill to end of tail about 4| inches, wing 2 3-10, 

 tail 1| inches. 



Hab. Zanzibar. 



This species, one specimen of which from the Rivoli collection is now described, 

 resembles Euplectes flammiceps, Swainson, more than any other species known to 

 me. From that, and the other species of this genus in which the scarlet plumage 

 predominates, it may easily be distinguished by the uniform deep black of the entire 

 under surface of the body. 



PYRENESTES, Swainson. 



p. cocciNEUs, nobis. — Capite, collo, uropygio, caudae tectricibus superioribus et hypochondriis coccineis 



nitente ; cauda supra coccinea pallidiore. Alis, dorso et corporis reliquis partibus brunneis. *" •". 

 Long. tot. (exuviae) a rostri apice usque ad finem caudae 4 4-10 poll., alae 2 3-10, caudas 1 9-10 pollices. 

 Hub. Africa occidentali. 



Head, neck, rump, upper tail coverts, and flanks glossy crimson. 

 Tail above of the same colour, but not so glossy. 



Wings, back, and all other parts of the body brown, a few of the feathers of the 

 back and wing converts margined with red. 



