THE SENEGAL SUN-BIRD. 



Nectarinia Senegalensis, LINNAEUS. 



PLATE XI. 



THIS species, instead of having the upper parts and 

 the breast of a uniform brilliant tint, has only a 

 marked coronal and gular patch of rich emerald- 

 green ; that on the throat extending upon the cheeks, 

 where it exhibits a streak or moustache separated 

 by the different structure of the feathers, the chin 

 and throat being also more yellow in tint. Space 

 between the eye and bill deep black ; the back of 

 the neck, upper parts, wings and tail, belly and vent, 

 are of a soft and deep brownish black, glossed with 

 purple, appearing and feeling to the touch like 

 velvet. The fore parts of the neck and breast are 

 brilliant scarlet-red, appearing in some lights violet- 

 blue ; this change is caused by each feather, black 

 at the root, having a band of violet-purple, im- 

 mediately succeeded by scarlet tips, which in a 

 state of rest nearly conceal the blue, or allow it only 

 to be partially seen through ; the feathers com- 

 posing this part are, to the feel, of a stiffer texture 

 than general, and are capable of being erected and 

 displayed at pleasure, giving at one time a totally 



