Ibis 1887, Captain G. E. Shelley on the Ploceidæ of the Ethiopian Region. Pages 16-18. Both descriptions refer to the same race as currently understood, though only the second to the illustrated taxon:

122. PLOCEUS RUBRICEPS

...Hab. S. Africa: Matabele and Transvaal. The type of my Sharpia ayresi agrees perfectly with two other specimens I have examined in the British and Berlin Museums, supposed to be females of P. ruficeps, and I have been led to consider that my type was either not in full plumage or a female, although it was sexed as a male by Mr. T. Ayres, who is generally most accurate, and both he and Mr. J. S. Jameson, who were present when it was shot out of a colony then breeding, assured me they never saw a red-headed specimen.

123. PLOCEUS GURNEYI

...Hab. Benguela. This species is very similar to P. rubriceps, from which it differs in having the ear-coverts black, slightly washed with red. The chin, space in front of the eyes, and the front and upper portions of the cheeks black. Length 6.1 inches, culmen 0.6, wing 3.3, tail 2.3, tarsus 0.8.
The type specimen, labeled Caconda (Anchieta), was presented to me by Prof. Barboza du Bocage, ... not quite in full plumage, the upper back and crop being only mottled with yellow and red. ...