l62O 



THE PERCHING BIRDS 



warble." The adult male has the general plumage ashining malachite green with 

 the tufts of the breast brilliant yellow, the two central tail feathers are prolonged 

 three inches beyond the rest, and the wings and tail are blackish. The female is 

 dull brown above, tinged with green, and beneath is greenish yellow. 



S b' d 



MALE AND FEMALE OP THE METALLIC SUNBIRD. 



(Two-thirds natural size.) 



The sunbird (A", metallica], represented in the above illustra- 

 t * on> i n h a bi ts Equatorial Africa, living in pairs wherever the mimosa 

 is abundant. During the heat of the day its actions become most ani- 

 mated, and at noon, when all the other birds seek rest and shelter from the parching 

 heat, this sunbird flies from blossom to blossom, accompanied by its faithful little 

 mate. Standing beneath a mimosa tree in full flower, an observer may hear its quick 

 whirring flight as it alights upon the branches of the thorn bushes, and begins to 

 probe the blossoms in search of honey and the insects which enter the interior of the 

 flowers in search of sweets. It feeds also upon flies and other winged insects which 



