Descriptive List of the Cominon Birds 



Cock : Very like A. lotenia, but this species 

 is smaller and its curved beak is shorter. It is a 

 very fine songster, its voice being as sweet as 

 that of the canary or the pied wagtail. 



Hen : Upper plumage earthy brown, lower 

 plumage yellow. 



Found all over India, but is only a summer 

 visitor to the Punjab and N.W. F. P. (Illus. 

 I. F., frontispiece.) 



1 08. Arachnechthra zeylonica : The Purple- 

 rumpcd Sunbird (F. 901), (J. 232), (- I.) 



Cock : From a little distance the cock looks 

 like a black-and-white bird, the upper parts 

 and breast appear black, and the lower parts 

 white. Closer inspection, however, reveals a 

 livery of many colours, each of which has a 

 beautiful sheen. There is a patch on the 

 crown which appears metallic lilac in some 

 lights and emerald green in others. The neck 

 and upper back are dull crimson, the lower 

 back, chin, and throat are brilliant metallic 

 purple. The tail and wing feathers are dark 

 brown. There is a maroon collar below the 

 throat. The lower plumage is bright yellow. 



Hen : Upper plumage earthy brown, lower 

 parts yellow. 



Found in all parts of India except N.W. F. P., 

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