PROMEROPS GURNEYI. 165 



Bunting (Emberim miliaria) ; others, as far as colour goes, 

 those of many of the Sunbirds (Nectariniidse). They average 

 1-00 by 072." 



Promerops gurneyi. 



Promerops gurneyi, J. Verr., Shelley, Mon. Nect. p. 381 (1876) ; Ayres, 

 Ibis, 1876, p. 425 Transvaal; Gadow, Cat. B. M. ix. p. 284; 

 Sharpe ed. Layard's B. S. Afr. p. 306 (1884) ; Shelley, B. Afr. I. 

 No. 84 (1896) ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1897, p. 506 Zululand ; Stark, Faun. 

 S. Afr. i. p. 273 (1900). 



Adult. Similar to P. cafer, but differs in having no mustachial streak, 

 and in the crown, lower throat, and front of breast being chestnut. Total 

 length 10-1 inches, culmen 1-1, wing 3 - 75, tail 66, tarsus 0-9. Lydenburg 

 district (Barratt). 



Gurney's Promerops is only known from Natal and the 

 Transvaal. The type, labelled, "Natal," was procured by Mr. 

 T. Ayres, who writes : "In habits this bird much resembles 

 Nectarinia natalensis, its food also being the same, viz., nectar 

 and small insects, especially spiders. It is very rare in this 

 locality, and is besides more shy than most other species. I 

 believe it is only to be found here during the winter months." 

 At a later date he observed it in the Lydenburg distinct, and 

 writes : " Promerops gurneyi is tolerably common, feeding on 

 the nectar of the flowers of a scrubby tree common on the 

 sides and summits of the mountains," and often in company 

 with N.famosa. 



Mr. Barratt also found it in the Transvaal between Lyden- 

 burg and Pretoria, and Messrs. R. B. and J. D. S. Woodward 

 procured a specimen at Ulundi in Zululand. 



No doubt the habits of this species are similar to those of 

 its close ally, P. cafer. 



