DESCRIPTION, DISTRIBUTION, HABITS 



coverts shining metallic violet-purple. Iris dark brown. Bill 

 and legs black. 



Length, 5.60 ; tail, 2. 10 ; wing, 2.90. 



The immature male in the illustration is earth-brown above. 

 Under parts dull olive, with a large admixture of black feathers. 

 Forehead and throat metallic, as in the adult male. 



Distribution. — From Cape Province to the Limpopo, 

 principally towards the east. 



Habits. — They associate in pairs and frequent bush-lands, 

 gardens, open hillsides, and any situation where there are 

 nectar-producing flowers. The nest is similar to that of the 

 greater double-collared sun bird. Clutch, 2 ; eggs cream, 

 profusely mottled, spotted, and streaked with purple-brown and 

 dark grey ; size, 0.72 by 0.50. 



Mouse - coloured Sun Bird (Cmnyris verreauxi). 

 (Vol. I., p. 247.) 



Description. — Male : upper surface of body and middle 

 wing coverts metallic-green, the bases of the feathers olive-brown. 

 Feathers of the tail black edged with brown. A black spot in 

 front of the eye ; below, ash-brown. Pectoral tufts scarlet. 

 Iris dark brown. Bill and legs black. 



Lengthy 5.25 ; tail, 2.00 ; wing, 2.45. 

 Adult female is similar to the male. 



Distribution. — Eastern Province of Cape, Natal, and 

 Zululand. 



Habits. — These sun birds associate in pairs and frequent the 

 coast bush, seldom resorting to the large forest trees. The nest 

 is domed like that of other sun birds, and is suspended from the 

 ends of leafy twigs or from the larger leaves. It is built of fine 

 grass, cobwebs, and bark fibre, and lined with hair and feathers. 

 Clutch, 2 ; eggs dull white, thickly mottled and spotted with 

 light and dark purple-brown ; size, 0.70 by 0.52. 



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