64 CINNYRIS AFFINIS. 



Prof. Barboza du Bocage refers two specimens from 

 Biballa in Benguela to this species, so it is extremely 

 interesting to find this Sunbird occurring at Zumbo on the 

 Zambesi. 



Here Mr. Boyd Alexander has procured two specimens 

 which agree with typical G. venustus both in measurements 

 and colouration of plumage. Culmen 0*0 inches, wing 1'85 to 

 1-9, tail 1-3. 



Specimens of this species differ considerably in the shade 

 of colouring of the breast, the abdomen being generally of a 

 pale buff, and the axillaries occasionally not shaded with 

 orange red ; while in others the breast is of a bright pale 

 yellow with fiery red and yellow pectoral-tufts. Forbes's 

 specimens from the Niger are in the last-mentioned plumage, 

 and I presume one of Marche's from Hann in Cape Verde to 

 have been likewise a brightly coloured specimen, as M. Bouvier 

 separated it from the others in his catalogue under the name 

 of N. affinis. 



The characters by which this species may be most readily 

 distinguished from its near allies, are : thighs buff, not dark 

 brown as in G. affinis and G. falhensteini ; the under wing- 

 coverts are whiter, not shaded with ash as in G. affinis or 

 entirely brown as in G. falhensteini. 



Cinnyris affinis. 



Cinnyris afl'mis, Eiipp. Shelley, Hon. Neet. p. 239, pi. 74, tig. 2 (1879) ; 

 Gaclow, Cat. B. M. ix. p. 40 (1884) ; Salvad. Ann. Mus. Genov. 

 1884, p. 140; 1888, pp. 246, 534 Shoa ; Shelley, B. Afr. I. No 35 

 (1896). 



Adult male. Similar to C. venustus. Above with less coppery gloss ; 

 breast brighter yellow, often shaded with chrome yellow ; thighs dark brown ; 

 under wing-coverts ashy grey. Total length 4-2 inches, culmen - 65, wing 

 2-15, tail 1-6, tarsus 0-6. Bayrayguddy, 27. 5. 68 (Jesse). 



