174 



BIFASCIATED SUN-BIRD. 



Nectarinia bifasciata, SHAW. 

 PLATE IV. 



THE banded distribution of colouring appears to be 

 of frequent occurrence in this group, as seen most 

 decidedly in the beautiful birds we have just de- 

 scribed ; in that before us, we have it continued ir, 

 a manner a little less distinct, w r hile the colours 

 continue to bear resemblance. We are indebted to 

 Dr. A. Smith for the use of the specimen which 

 we now describe and figure, from the collection 

 at Fort Pitt, Chatham, and which has marked, as 

 its locality, " Interior of Africa." The whole up- 

 per parts, wings and tail excepted, are of the 

 same rich bronzed green of the greater and lesser 

 collared birds, approaching to emerald-green on 

 the lower back and rump; on the shoulders the 

 base of the feathers is black, having a broad round 

 fringe of greenish at the tips, as in N. famosa, 

 and which exhibits a rich spotted contrast. The 

 wings and tail are nearly black, glossed with green, 

 the latter on its edges, with purple. Underneath 

 the chin is of a deep velvet-black, changing on 

 the nock and upper part of the breast to the same 



