340 
Captain G. E. Shelley on the 
and may, I think, have been found to he a made-up bird 
and destroyed. So much doubt do I feel with regard to this 
bird, that I think until it is rediscovered, or the type care¬ 
fully examined, it might with advantage be omitted from the 
African list. 
V. paradisea has generally been divided into two species— 
the typical race from W. Africa, and Vidua verreauxi, Cass., 
from E. and S. Africa; but their differences I consider of too 
trivial a nature to be recognized with any advantage. The 
only character I can find for V. verreauxi is the absence of 
any chestnut shade on the hind neck. There is no constant 
difference in their measurements. In six specimens in the 
British Museum from the Gambia, five have the chestnut 
shade on the back of the neck, and one is without that 
shade. 
Key to the Species. 
a. Bill red. 
a}. Elongated tail-feathers of moderate breadth 
throughout their length. Breast black or 
white in adults. 
a 2 . With four elongated tail-feathers, black. 
a 3 . Entire plumage glossy greenish black .. 73. V. hypocherina. 
b‘ s . Underparts white . 74. V. principalis. 
IT. With two elongated tail-feathers, white . . 75. V. superciliosa. 
b l . Elongated tail-feathers very narrow. Under¬ 
parts buff. 
c 2 . Four centre tail-feathers white and equally 
narrow throughout their length. Crown 
buff. Neck and sides of the head black . . 76. V.'fischen. 
cP. Centre tail-feathers black and extremely 
narrow, widening out near their ends. 
Crown black. Neck, ear-coverts, and throat 
buff . 77. V. regia. 
b. Bill black. Four elongated tail-feathers very 
broad, narrowing towards their ends. Entire 
head and throat black . 78. V. paradisea. 
73. Vidua hypocherina. 
Vidua hypocherina , Verr. Bev. et Mag. Zool. 1856, p. 260, 
pi. 16 (bad), W. Afr. (type exam.). 
Vidua splendem, Beichen. Orn. Centralbl. 1879, p. 180, 
