from the Colony of Natal. 43 



specimen obtained near Talien Bay, in Northern China, by Mr. 

 Swinhoe, in July 1860 (Ibis, 1861, pp. 253, 254), which also 

 forms part of the collection of the Norwich Museum. — J. H. G.] 



285. CoTYLE ciNCTA (Bodd.). Brown- collared Martin. 

 Total length 6'5 inches ; iris dark hazel. 



These birds I have only found inland. Their flight much re- 

 sembles that of the Rollers, and they make a loud chattering 

 noise whilst flying. The specimen sent I shot in February near 

 Pieter-Maritzburg ; it is a heavy, large-sized Swallow, solitary 

 and scarce. The stomach contained good-sized beetles, some- 

 what broken up. 



286. Nectarinia chalybeia (Linn.). Lesser Double-col- 

 lared Sun-bird. 



Male. Total length 5 inches ; bill -93 in. 



Female. Total length 4*5 inches ; bill "81 in. 



Iris dusky ; bill, tarsi, and feet black. 



These Sun-birds appear to be most plentiful in July and 

 August, the females being the more numerous. In habits and 

 appearance they resemble N. afra. When the peach-trees are 

 in full blossom these Sun -birds may be seen actively engaged in 

 sucking the nectar, and in taking the small insects from the 

 blossoms, the males chasing each other away from their mates 

 with many a rapid evolution, so that it requires a good eye to 

 follow them. They have a very sweet, though not a loud, song; 

 and many a time have I sat under the bush the bird was on, 

 only a few feet above my head, and listened with pleasure to his 

 sweet warblings. 



287. Nectarinia famosa (Linn.). Malachite Sun-bird. 

 Male. Total length 10-25 in. Iris dusky ; bill, tarsi, and 



feet black. 



Female. Total length 6 inches. 



This species is found more in the inland part of the colony, 

 frequenting the open country, feeding upon the nectar of the 

 various kinds of aloes abounding in some localities, and also on 

 that of some species of lilies which are numerous in many of the 

 valleys. When disturbed, they generally fly right away, unless 



