PROMEROPID^. 69 



now settling and now hovering, but glittering all the 

 while in the sunshine like some brilliant insect or some 

 precious gem. 



The male bird, in addition to the beauty of its plu- 

 mage, possesses a very pleasant warble. 



The iris in this species is very dark, and the bill, legs, 

 and feet black. 



Measurements of a male and a female : — 



Entire length . . . 

 Length of folded wing 



„ tarsus . . 



„ middle toe . 



„ tail . . . 

 bill . . . 



Male. Female 



in. lin. in. lin. 



9 o 9 



2 lOi 2 8 



7 7 



5 5 



5 1 2 



15 13 



86. Cinnyris chalybea (Linn.). Lesser Double-collared Sun-bird. 



Nedarinia chahjhea, Jardiue's Sun -birds, pi. 1. 



„ „ Layard's Cat. No. 122. 



Cinnyris chahjhea, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 1282, 



I do not recollect having observed this species north 

 of the Orange River ; but I have not unfrequently met 

 with it in Little Namaqua Land, and I am informed by 

 Mr. Layard that it was brought by Mr. Chapman from 

 the Lake-regions. It is found both in open and wooded 

 localities, and generally singly. 



Measurements of a male and a female : — 



