351 
Ploceidse of the Ethiopian Region. 
This is a very well-defined compact genus, composed of 
thirteen species, of which ten are very strongly marked ; the 
other three, P. scioana, Salvad., P. taha , Smith, and P. 
sticta, Heugl. ( = P. ladoensis, Reichen.), have been frequently 
confounded, but are, I consider, undoubtedly good species. 
To the surrounding genera, Coliuspasser and Quelea, they 
show a marked affinity in the colouring of their winter dress. 
Key to the Species . 
a. Under surface of the wings entirely black. 
a 1 . Crown, neck, and lower back orange-red ; 
mantle reddish fawn-colour; upper half of 
throat black . 91. P Jlammiceps . 
b l . Front half of the crown black; mantle yellow; 
rump and upper tail-eoverts brown; black 
of throat confined to chin. 92. P. gierowi. 
b. Under surface of the wings not black. 
c 1 . Entire neck red. 
c 2 . Upper and under tail-coverts and pale por¬ 
tion of the abdomen not red. 93. P. friederichsoni. 
d 2 . Upper and under tail-coverts and pale por¬ 
tion of the abdomen red. 
d 3 . Chin and upper throat black. 94. P. orix* 
e 3 . Chin and entire throat red. 
e 4 . Entire upper half of the head black . . 95. P. franciscana. 
/ 4 . Black on upper half of the head con¬ 
fined to the forehead. 96. P. nigrifrons. 
d l . Crown and back half of the neck red ; entire 
throat black . 97. P. nigriventris . 
e 1 . Forehead and front of crown red ; remainder 
of the head and neck black .. 98. P diademata . 
f l . Entire head black; back orange-yellow .... 99, P. aurea. 
g l , Crown, lower back, and upper and under tail- 
coverts bright yellow. 
f. With no yellow collar across the lower 
throat. 
g 3 . Larger: wing 2*8 inches ; with no yellow 
on the chest . 100. P scioana. 
h 3 . Smaller : wing 2‘5 to 2‘2 inches ; with a 
yellow patch on each side of the crop. 
h i . Larger : wing 2'4 to 2*5 inches ; sides 
of the body between the crop-patch 
and thigh not mottled with yellow. . 101. P. taha , 
