All rights reserved. APRIL, 1916- 



BIRD NOTES: 



THE 



JOURNAL OF THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB. 



My Sunbirds. 



By the Hon. Mrs. G. Bourke, 



Of the three species drawn by Mr. Goodchild. at the 

 Holborn Hall Show on February 2nd and 3rd, only two 

 belong to mc. \dz.: the Southern Malachite, and the Black- 

 breasted, but as I have kept tlie jnirple I am. by request, 

 briefly noting that also. 



PURpr.E SuNBiRD {Aracfuicchtlira asiatica). A native 

 of India and one of the best songsters of the Nectariniidae. 

 The one portrayed on the plate took second prize for Miss 

 Clare, and it was in splendid condition, and singing at intervals 

 on both days. 



Southern Mal.xchite Sunbird {Nedarinia fainosa). 

 The bird depicted is one I brought from the Cape two years 

 ago. I had a pair but the hen fell a victim to the extreme 

 hea*^ before I left South Africa. The cock bird has never 

 caused one a moment's anxiety since he got over the long 

 sea journey. Summer and winter he sings a cheery wheeze, 

 and is an interesting and vivacious bird. 



His beauty cannot be fully depicted either by brush 

 or pen ; n( iiher can it be seen to full advantage in a cage, 

 be ne<-ds ilic play of light on his metallic green plumage to 

 bring ou' his full beauty. In his summer quarters, a garden 

 aviary ; it is a grand sight to see him chasing gnats and other 

 minute wmged insects, the ever changing hues of his glistening 

 garment, as he wheels and twists about the aviary in pursuit 

 of his prey is a sight long to be remembered. 



In the winter he occupies a large cage (3ft. long), 



