i65 



outline and colouring may be pourtrayed, no plate can 

 do justice to their gorgeous and irridescent plumage 

 and fairy like forms. From the records of various 

 travellers and naturalists we find that they are low 

 ranging birds, are found on the outskirts of forests 

 and the trees of open wooded districts ; here they are 

 perpetually searching the crevices, bark, etc., for in- 

 sects ; fruit is also eaten. 



In captivity they should have a roomy cage, one 

 large enough to take a flowering plant preferably, 

 which should be frequently changed and of a species 

 which harbours plant lice; at the same time they will 

 do without this luxury. Their cage must be kept 

 where it will get plenty of suu and fresh air yet be 

 out of draught. I cannot approve of the hothouses 

 in which they are kept at the Zoo. I have carefully 

 watched the birds there, and noted when these glass 

 cages were adopted how soon the birds, which had 

 been in perfect condition with the ordinary box cage, 

 soon became " soft " and ill-conditioned. And from 

 carefully watching the birds there and also those of 

 private aviculturists I strongly advise a roomy semi- 

 box cage for their home. The B. M. Cat., Vol. XL, 

 gives four species, viz., cyanea (type), ccerulea, liicida, 

 and nitida. 



The Yellow-winged Sugar Bird. 



C. cyanea. 



Male : The principal bod}' colour is rich, velvet}' purple- 

 blue; lores, eye region, wing and tail, velvety black; cap, pale 

 blue ; inner webs of wing feathers and underside of wings, 

 sulphur-yellow ; bill, black (long and curved) ; feet, ruddy 

 flesh-colour. Total length 4f in., tail if in. 



Female : Above, green with centres of feathers darker ; 

 wings and tail blackish and dyed with green ; eye streak. 



