PROMEROPID^. 79 



on the shoulders ; tail lengthened and graduated ; all tho 

 feathers, except the two centre ones, spotted with white near 

 the tips ; wings barred with white ; belly and vent dull 

 black ; bill more or less curved, bright coral-red, as are also 

 the legs. The bill differs in length with age and S8X. 

 Length to base of tail, 7" ; wing, 7" ; tail, 10". 



This bird inhabits the forests of the Knysna, and extends as far 

 as the Great Lake. It frequents high trees, about the topmost 

 branches of which it hunts unceasingly for insects. Its voice is harsh 

 and resounding, and has acquired for it the name of " KacJcela '' among 

 the Dutch, which signifies " the chatterer.'' It is a difficult bird to 

 shoot, being very shy and wary, and for ever whisking round on its 

 perch, taking special care, however, of its long tail, by lifting it over 

 the branches. Its motions at these times reminded me very much of 

 the habits of the pheasant cuckoos (Centropus). I never saw or heard 

 of one of these birds being observed on the ground. The residents in 

 tho Knysna district informed me that these birds breed in hollow 

 trees, and that their eggs were pure white and round. 



120. Irrisor Cyanomelas. Rkinopomastes 



Cyanomelas, Vieii, ; R. Smithii, Jard. ; Promerops 

 Namaquois, Le Vail., Prom., t. 1 I, 12 ; P. Purpu- 

 ratus, Burch. 



General colour of male, deep black, richly glossed with 

 purple-blue on the head, neck, breast, and back ; less so on 

 the wings and tail, and not at all on the body ; feathers of 

 the wings with a white spot near the quills, and the five first 

 have a patch of greyish- white about an inch from the tips ; 

 bill curved, very thin, and dark horn-coloured, approaching 

 to black ; legs the same. The females are brown underneath, 

 80 also are young birds. In one example in my possession, 

 the brown tint is mottled with blue-black, as if there was a 

 change of plumage going on. Length, 10" ; wing, 4|" ; 

 tail, 5". 



Brought from Kuruman by Mr. R. Moffat, and from Damaraland 

 by Mr. Ander.^son. 



The Second Family, PROMEROPID-ffi, 

 or Sunbirds, 



have the bill more or less lengthened, slender, and usually 

 curved throughout its length ; the nostrils broad, and covered 

 by a scale ; the wings moderate; the tail of various lengths, 

 even or graduated ; the tarsi moderate, and covered with 

 broad scales ; the toeis moderate, and armed with curved and 

 acute claws. 



