PROMEROPID^. 77 



small insects, and these it collects partly from tlie branches and leaves 

 of brushwood and dwarf trees, and partly from flowers." — A. Smith, 

 loc. cit. 



125. Nectarinia OoUaris, Vieii., n. Diet. d'Hist. 



Nat. XXXI., p. 502 ; Le Sucrier Gamtocin, Le Vail., 

 PI. 299 ; Jard. Sunbirds, PI. 6. 



The head, back of neck, rump, upper wing-coverts, and tail, 

 golden-green ; all the lower parts of the body dullish - 

 yellow ; neck golden ; on the breast a collar of brilliant blue. 

 The female has no collar ; otherwise, though less bright, 

 her plumage is similar to that of the male. Each has the 

 bill and feet blackish ; the eyes brown. 



Le VaUlant states that they keep together for some time in families, 

 consisting of the parent birds, and seven or eight young ones ; also, that 

 they are abundant near the " Gamtoos " River. Sundevall has it 

 from Kaffraria. I have not seen it. 



126 Nectarinia Bifasciata, Shaw, Voi. 8, p. 



198; C. mtens, Vieil, Jard. Sunbirds, Pi. 4.; 0. 

 Mariquensis, A. Smith. 



Green and gold, with black-brown quill- feathers ; belly and 

 tail, and red pectoral bar, bounded above by a steel-blue one. 

 Length, 4" 9'" ; wing, 2" 9'" ; tail, 2". 



Dr. Smith found this species at Kurrichain ; and Mr. Verreaux cites 

 it from Natal. Mr. Andersson and Mr. Kisch procured it in Dama- 

 raland. 



127. Nectarinia Pamosa. (Linn.) Pi. En., 83, 



f 1 ; Cuv., Vol. 2, p. 364 ; Vieil., Ois d'Or, t. 37, 38 

 Le Sucrier Malachitte, Le Vail., PI. 289 and 290. 

 General colour, rich shining green ; wings and tail black 

 side-tufts brilliant yellow ; two centre tail-feathers prolonged 

 three inches beyond the rest. Total length, 9" ; wing, 3" 

 tail, 5" 5'". 



Common throughout the colony. It is very partial to the blossoms 

 of the aloe, among which it finds an abundance of its insect food. 

 I have found it plentifully up the ravines of Table Mountain, extending 

 even to the top. It has a shrill, not unpleasing, but short song, and 

 when pursuing a rival utters a piercing scream. It is very combative, 

 and if two males meet about the same bush, a fight is sure to ensue, 

 to the great detriment of their beautiful tail-feathers. The males 

 lose their beauty in the winter season ; and the young birds are just 

 like the females. 



Eggs, reported to be those of this species, have been given me — they 

 are of a dull, greyish-brown colour, minutely mottled all over. They 



