The L.n.B.A. SJww. 379 



This ii5 ono of I ho Kargest of the African Sunhirds, and also one 

 of the most lieatitiful, possessing not only a brilliant and 

 metallic f^ai'iiicnt and charming song, but also a contour that 

 for elegance ami grai^c i, not exceerled by any other member 

 of the lid world. Tl is also known as jhc Capo Long-tailed 

 Sunbird. ("oloui': Kidi metallic grcon ; (juills black; pectoral 

 tufts golden -yellow; the two slender central tail feathers fully 

 5in. long, the ou^or pairs being the shortest, about one inch, the 

 others alioul l.lii. long; the beak is slender and curved, about 

 lin. long. TIi(> molallic hue^ are only worn during the breed- 

 ing season. This l)ird ^vas ver-y ta?ne and steady and not at all 

 disturbed by (ho close scrutiny to Avhich it was subjected by 

 an everehanging Huong of obserA'cM-s and sightseers; this, I 

 may say. Avas er(!ially true of the species described below. 

 Thii biid deciModlv tnoli premier honours. 



OuEATEK AMKTUY.sr Su.\r.Ti!D (Cin'ri;ris amefhystina). 

 This sp ■cios. in criaiii li-Ii(s. looks aliiinsf all black, in others it 

 is a flasIiinL: jewel scintilluitii; forth tn-fallic purplish reiiections ; 

 the ci'own is glistening emoi-ald-groon. The song is loud and 

 clear. It is ahon' the size of a Siskin, but of slender and 

 graceful form A most fascn'nating cago-hird, beautiful and 

 rare, of a lively and vivacious demeanour. Fit to win any- 

 where, lni( all could not bo fii'st so had to bo content with 

 second honours. 



Lesser i)oiii!i.K-roi,i..\RKr) SuNBiTtn (Cinnyris cJialy- 

 hfiis). Anothei- o.\(piisite gem, Avhich had to be content with 

 third j)lac(\ I'enlly one could riglilly term all these equal firsts. 

 It is a smallish species about the size of our Lesser Redpoll, 

 but of gi-accful and elegant form, a fairy sprite would be 

 a very fitting designation for it. Sketchy descriptions not 

 eas>- with these living jewels of the bird-world, as light refrac- 

 tion plays so large a part in the changing hues of their metallic 

 garments. In a sub.dued light C. chalyheus is metallic bronzy 

 green on Hie lu-ad, neck, chin and throat; a broad pectoral 

 liand of metallic bronzy-red crosses the breast, separated from 

 the green of the throat by a narrow band of glistening blue, 

 lias a lair song and is very tame and lively. 



Mr. Ezra informed me that he kept all his Sunbirds 

 in sei)arate cages, in his bird -room, which is large, and well 

 lighted and kept at an even temperature of about 60c p. 



