202 BRONZE-HOODED BENGALI'. 
composed of five divisions or types of form*, tlian 
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 E 'strelda, 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 Cyclopedic, 
