Annals of the Transvaal Museum 
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not seen an example of L. nitidula Hartlaub, but its description seems to 
indicate that it belongs to a different genus; it has been recorded from 
within our limits by Sclater (Ann. S. Afr. Mus. viii. 368). L. rhodopareia 
haematocephala Neumann (Orn. Monatsher. 1907, p. 168) has been recorded 
from within our limits by Sclater (This, 1911, p. 229). 
The genus Hypargos Rchb., type H. margaritatus StrickL, contains 
several natural groups, placed together because of their having large white 
spots on the underparts of the body; but Hypargos is characterised by 
having a rounded form of wing, the first primary quite large, the second 
falling short of the third, which again is much shorter than the fourth, 
while in Estrilda nitidula Hartlaub, which has been commonly lumped in 
this genus, we have the other extreme, the first primary minute and the 
second very little short of the third and fourth. The latter is a smaller 
bird as well, with a shorter tail in proportion to the length of the wing, a 
smaller and weaker bill and very different style of colour. I had intended 
to name a genus for this species, but have been anticipated, I am pleased 
to note, by Dr Hartert, who has recently given it the generic name of 
Mandingoa (cf. Nov. Zool. xxvi. 147, 1919). Hypargos margaritatus has 
been re-discovered at Coguno, near Inhambane, by C. Grant (cf. This, 
1911, p. 230). 
Pytelia” melha (L.) should be referred to the genus Zongastris Cab., 
of which it is the genotype, on its narrower bill. 
Authors have differed with regard to the limits of the genus Estrilda 
Swains., type Loxia astrild L. The typical species has a brown to pink 
plumage, profusely rayed with brown, a red and comparatively short bill, 
long and slender claws and the tail always longer than the wing ; it builds 
a large nest of dry grass stems, warmly lined with feathers and other soft 
material, round in shape, but with the forepart sloping and converging to 
a point at the entrance, which closes automatically; it is placed on the 
ground, as a rule, under broad-bladed weeds, a bare patch on the ground 
in front of the entrance usually showing where it is, and there is usually 
a rough hood over the top, forming a rough chamber, which is sometimes 
occupied by the male, but seems to act rather as deception to would-be 
intruders, the proper nest being guarded by the tightly closed entrance. 
Estrilda erythronota (Vieillot), genotype of Brunhilda Rchb., superficially 
resembles E. astrild, but differs in having black cheeks, more black than 
brown in the general coloration, a black and longer bill and shorter, stouter 
claws; its call-note is quite distinct from that of Estrilda and it is more 
arboreal in habits; its nest is placed high up in a tangled thorn-tree and 
resembles that of Estrilda in the body of the nest, but has the entrance 
protruding downwards, like the nest of Hyphanturgus ocularius. In my 
opinion it should be regarded as a distinct genus. 
Estrilda suhflava (Vieillot), genotype (by elimination) of Neisna Bp., 
has the plumage more orange coloured, the bill with a dark line on the 
culmen and keel, but otherwise as in Estrilda, the claws very weak and short 
and the tail very much shorter than the wing ; its nest is usually a re-lined 
nest of some weaver or viduine finch. I consider this also to be a distinct 
genus. E. incana Sundevall differs so completely from Estrilda that I 
cannot understand why it has remained so long associated with it. It is 
for the greater part grey in colour; the bill is dark blue, but shaped as in 
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