during the expedition to the Niger. 189 



excepted, are of a very rich emerald bronzed green ; the 

 wings and tail are brownish black, on the former the edges of 

 the feathers being dull oil-green ; the chin is deep velvet-black, 

 shading into the neck and upper parts of the breast, which are 

 similar in colour to the upper parts, and finish on the breast 

 by a band of deep bluish green ; this is succeeded by a crim- 

 son band nearly similar in extent to the same part in the N. 

 chalybeia, and having the tips of the feathers on the upper 

 part of it narrowly edged with golden green ; while the belly, 

 flanks, vent and under tail-coverts are of a pale oil-green ; the 

 ample axillary tufts are rather paler in tint than in its ally. 

 The comparative dimensions of the Cape and Niger birds 

 are — 



Cape. Niger, 



Entire length 4 j- 6 ^ 4^ 



Bill to forehead Oj- T 7 n 



Wing to longest quill 2^ 1-^, 



Tail from extremity of upper coverts . . lyL Oy 7 ^ 



Tarsus.../ Oft 0& 



Since the preceding notes were sent to press, that party of 

 the Niger expedition which remained with the view of again 

 attempting the ascent of the river have returned to Britain, 

 and we have been obliged by the attention of Mr. Fraser, the 

 naturalist, for the examination of some Nectariniadce pro- 

 cured during his sojourn at Fernando Po, among which are 

 eight specimens of the male of our N. chloropygia. All of them 

 agree exactly, and maintain the distinctions of colouring and 

 proportions which are pointed out above as separating this 

 bird from N. chalybeia. 



Three specimens of the female accompany them, and they 

 exhibit even greater differences. The plumage above is olive 

 or yellowish oil-green (not broccoli-brown as in N. chalybeia) 

 underneath ; the chin is yellowish white ; the breast of a deeper 

 shade tinted with olive, and the centre of the belly is nearly 

 gamboge-yellow, shading to a paler tint on the sides, flanks 

 and under tail-coverts. The wings are umber-brown, having 

 the feathers edged with yellowish oil-green ; tail nearly black 

 glossed with green, and having the two outer feathers tipped 

 with grayish white. The entire length, 4 % ; bill to forehead, 

 ~; wing to longest quill, 1 T %. The short notes which Mr. 

 Fraser's other duties enabled him to collect are also interest- 

 ing as giving us insight into its habits : — " Very common in 

 flocks of from twenty to fifty near the houses ; the note short 

 but sweet ; perch on the long grass and branches of the small 



