60 CINNYRIS ALBIVENTRIS. 



In Zululand the Messrs. Woodwards procured a fine series 

 at Eschowe. 



In the Transvaal Mr. T. Ayres found the species common 

 near Rustenburg in August where they were frequenting the 

 same localities as G. afer, and during his journey up country 

 with the late Mr. Jameson collected specimens at Palatswie 

 Pan and Bamangwato in June, where they found them in 

 company with G. mariquensis. Mr. T. E. Buckley while in 

 Swaziland procured a male in imperfect plumage in June and 

 another in full plumage in July. 



From the Zambesi, the most northern known locality for 

 this species in East Africa, there is one of Sir John Kirk's 

 specimens, now in the British Museum, and according to 

 Mr. Boyd Alexander: "With the exception of Ghalcomitra 

 gutturalis, this species was the most abundant of all the Sun- 

 birds along the river, but at the same time its distribution 

 was local. Wherever the thick woods gave way to open 

 spots interspersed with acacia bushes, these little Sunbirds 

 mustered in considerable numbers, full of activity, hardly 

 heeding one's approach, but devoting all their attention to 

 the acacia blossoms. After emerging from a forest silent and 

 gloomy, it was a pleasant relief to come to such a spot, looking 

 like a glimpse of fairy-land itself : the bright light playing 

 upon the tender green of the acacias starred with innumerable 

 yellow feathery blossoms, amongst which the Sunbirds were 

 revelling, the sunlight catching the peacock blue of their backs 

 as they travelled with jerky dancing flight from one bush to 

 another, and at times burst forth into a chatteriug little song 

 resembling that of our Siskin (Ghrysomitris spinus), which 

 now and again would suddenly give place to the call note, a 

 small plaintive whistle." 



Cinnyris albiventris. 



Cinnyris albiventris (Strickl.) Shelley, Mon. Nect. p. 233, pi. 73 (187G) ; 

 Gadow, Cat. B. M. is. p. 40 (1884) ; Shelley, Ibis, 1888, p. 300 



