1-28 Rev. J, SibreCj Jr.^ on the 



of them_, tlie Grlittering Sickle-billed species, belongs to a 

 genus {Neodrepanis) peculiar to the island. It is well known 

 that many of the birds of this family rival in the Old World 

 the gem-like and metallic tints of the Humming-birds in the 

 New World, and this is true of the Madagascar Sun-birds. 

 Of the Nedarinia notata, M. Pollen observes : " These charm- 

 ing birds live in flocks, and are almost always found together 

 with the other species of Nectarinia and with one of the 

 Warblers [Eroessa sp.). All day long one sees them darting 

 among the branches of the trees and about the flowering 

 shrubs, from which they suck with their long tongue the 

 nectar which forms their principal food. They also feed on 

 insects and on the fruit of the banana and the mango. Their 

 song is long, very agreeable^ but little varied ; now and then 

 they utter a cry resembling that of our Sparrow. These 

 Sun-birds have the habit of suspending themselves by their 

 claws from the small branches, like the Titmice. During 

 the hottest part of the day they revel in the burning rays of 

 the sun, loving to preen their plumage, which has been wetted 

 by the heavy morning dews which fill the calyxes of the 

 flowers. The nest of this bird is in the form of a pocket 

 with a lateral opening, and these are usually found hang- 

 ing from the extremity of a branch of some species of 

 mimosa. They are constructed of small roots, dry leaves, 

 and fine lianas, and are lined with spider's web. It is a 

 curious fact that more males than females of this bird are 

 always seen." 



Mr. Cory observes here : " I have not myself noticed the 

 excess of males over females among the Sun-birds; and I 

 fancy, if people only took the trouble to look, they would 

 always find somewhere in the vicinity of the cock-bird his 

 less gaudy mate. Does not the male lose his brilliant colours 

 in the winter, like the Fbdy (Cardinal-bird) ? I am not 

 quite certain myself." 



Of the other species of Nectarinia, JNl. Pollen says that he 

 has seen it " particularly abundant in the plains near Ano- 

 rontsanga (N.W. coast), and it constantly utters its note, 

 which resembles that of a Woodpecker. Its chief food is the 



