PROMEROPID.E. 91 



their little glossy lieads^ chasing each other on giddy 

 wing, and Hirting and twittering, the gayest of the 

 gay. Some were emerald-green, some vivid violet, 

 and others yellow with a crimson wing." 



Their nest is usually suspended, and of a hemi- 

 spherical form, having generally an opening on one 

 side, nearer the bottom than the top, with a small 

 roof over it; it is composed of dry fibres mixed 

 with moss, and lined with down ^4thih. The exte- 

 rior portion is sometimes kept together by means of 

 a thick spider^ s web, which the bird uses as a frame- 

 work whereunto the various materials composing 

 'the nest are attached. The eggs are generally two 

 in number. 



This family comprises the True Sun-birds and 

 the Guit-o'uits. 



