SPLENDID SUN-BIRD. 



Nectarinia splendida, SHAW. 



PLATE V. 



THIS is a large species, and certainly, when the 

 male is seen in his full breeding dress, one of the 

 most gorgeously dressed of the whole tribe. Le 

 Yaillant found this bird in the country of the Great 

 Namaqua, near the Fish River, but only during the 

 season of incubation ; so that it is probable a more 

 western locality may be its true and continuous 

 habitation. It is introduced by Mr. Swainson in 

 his Birds of "Western Africa, and our own speci- 

 mens were received, by the attention of Dr. "W. 

 Fergusson, from the vicinity of Sierra Leone. In 

 the country of the Namaquas the nest was placed 

 in the worm-eaten trunks of mimosa trees, and 

 contained from four to five entirely white eggs.* 



The total length of the adult male, measured 

 from Sierra Leone specimens, is from five inches 

 and a half to five and three-quarters, being nearly 

 an inch longer than the measurements given by 

 Mr. Swainson. The back of the neck, back, shoul- 

 ders, and upper and under tail-coverts, are brilliant 

 golden green, varying with every change of light ; 

 * Le Vaillant, vi. p. 163. 



