SUN-BIRDS. 



71 



generally seen upon the upper twigs and smaller branches of 

 trees and bushes, hopping quickly about, and moving their wings 

 in a tremulous manner while searching the blossoms, or occa- 

 sionally they hover on the wing before flowers, engaged in the same 

 occupation. .Spiders also form a portion of their subsistence; 

 these the bird drags from their hiding-places while fluttering in 

 the air, and will occasionally snap at an insect whilst flying. Wc 

 have selected as the representative of this brilliant group — 

 The Red-breasted Soui-manga {Cinnyris Seiiegakiisis). 



Tu 3, — liiL Ked ukl\stld Soli m^nl.a (Cnni^m Seiu ^altiisn) 



Another species, 



The Famous Creeper {Nedarinia famosa), called also the Malachite 

 Sun-Bird, is an inhabitant of the Cape of Good Hope, where it remains 

 throughout the year, and as it is in the habit of frequenting gardens, soon 

 becomes familiar with the proprietors. Sometimes these lovely birds may be 

 seen in flocks of forty or fifty, congregating upon the branches of a favourite 

 tree, and amusing themselves among its blossoms. The male bird, when 

 dressed in full nuptial costume, is nearly double the size of any other species 

 of this sub-family, often exceeding nine inches in length. The whole of its 

 iipper surface is rich golden green, marked with a reddish bronze. The fea- 

 thers of the throat and forehead are of the same hue, but of so deep a tone 

 that they appear at lirst sight to be velvety black. Whenever the bird moves, 

 even by the act of respiration, waves of bright hues seem to ripple on its sur- 

 face, caused by the peculiar disposition of the feathers, which are black, and 

 only coloured at their extremities. The wings and tail arc black, and the 



