195 



AMETHYST-THROATED SUN-BIRD. 



Nectarinia amethystina y SHAW. 



PLATE XIII. 



THIS bird differs in several respects from any of 

 those we have yet described, and though of appa- 

 rently more sombre colouring, it possesses some 

 hues of exceeding brilliancy. It is, with one or two 

 exceptions, one of the largest species known, being 

 in extreme length from five and a half to six inches. 

 The whole of the plumage of the adult male, in a 

 breeding state, with the exception of the parts 

 we shall immediately mention, is of a very deep 

 brownish black, feeling and looking like velvet, and 

 on the upper parts, when held side-ways to the 

 light, having a rich play of purple. The coronal 

 patch is dark emerald green; on the throat and 

 fore part of the neck there is an oval patch of rich 

 amethystine purple, and on the carpal joint of the 

 wing and upper tail-covers the feathers are of the 

 same beautiful tint, but more inclining to violet, 

 in all these parts playing and changing with the 

 variation of the light. The axillary tufts, as in the 

 last, are wanting. In the plumage of the winter or 

 rainy season, the male resembles the female ; but, 

 unlike the previous birds, retains, it is said, his 



