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Show 1881.] BIRDS FROM EASTERN AFRICA. 581 89. NlCATOR GULARIS. Nicator gularis, Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 360 ; Cab. J. f. O. 1878, p. 225 ; Fischer & Reichenow, torn. cit. p. 259 ; Fischer, torn. cit. p. 277- Lamo. This species ranges from Lamo to the Zambesi. 90. MALACONOTUS ICTERUS (CUV.). Meristes olivaceus, Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 361 ; Fischer & Reichenow, J. f. O. 1878, p. 259; Fischer, torn. cit. p. 275; id. J. f. O. 1879, pp. 287, 300; Fischer & Reichenow, torn. cit. p. 346; Gurney, Ibis, 1881, p. 126. Lamo ; Usambara mountains ; Ugogo ; Dar-es-Salaam. This species ranges throughout Africa south of about 16° N. lat. Lanius olivaceus, Shaw, Gen. Zool. vii. p. 330, refers to a distinct species well figured by Levaillant, Ois. d'Afr. ii. p. 75; so that the title olivaceus, Vieill., cannot be here employed. 91. PRIONOPS TALACOMA. Prionops talacoma, Smith, Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ostafr. p. 365 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. iii. p. 321. Ugogo; Dar-es-Salaam. It ranges from Ugogo southward to the Transvaal, and from thence through the northern portion of South Africa to Damaraland and Angola. 92. SlGMODUS TRICOLOR. Prionops gracxdinus, Finsch & Hartl. torn. cit. p. 368 ; Sharpe, P.Z.S. 1873, p. 714; Cab. J. f. O. 1878, p. 224; Fischer & Beichenow, torn. cit. p. 259 ; Fischer, torn. cit. p. 275 ; id. J. f. O. 1879, p. 287; Fischer & Reichenow, torn. cit. p. 347. Sigmodus tricolor (Gray), Sharpe, Cat. B. hi. p. 325. Sigmodus graculinus, Sharpe, loc. cit.; Nicholson, P. Z. S. 1878, p. 357. Pangani ; Usambara hills ; Usambara mountains ; Dar-es-Salaam. In m y opinion S. tricolor and S. graculinus are not specifically distinct. They both inhabit the same country north from the Zambesi; the former is known to range to Pangani, and the latter to Mombas. The white bar on the wing is a very variable character; and although present in nine specimens from the above localities, it is reduced in one from Pangani to small, almost obsolete spots, only visible on the fourth and seventh primaries. Four specimens, collected by Dr. Kirk at Dar-es-Salaam, have the white bar on the wing clearly defined, while another specimen from the same locality, presented to me by the late Mr. E. C. Buxton, has no white on the wing, and is a typical example of S. graculinus. I can detect no difference in the colouring of the remainder of the plumage, nor in any of the measurements. |