CARMELITE SUN-BIRD. 199 



the velvety feel and appearance of N. amethystine 

 and showing yellow and greenish lights. Under- 

 neath, the plumage of the same texture is deep 

 umber-brown, and, when seen across, shows rich 

 purple reflections. The forehead, until within the 

 line of the eyes, is covered with the scale-like 

 feathers of deep green, the last row of feathers 

 being rich violet, forming, as it were, a narrow 

 band of that colour. The chin is velvety-black, 

 and, following it, the gular patch is rich yel- 

 lowish-green, playing in the light, reaching to the 

 upper part of the breast, and having the last row 

 of feathers deep steel-blue tipped with scarlet, at a 

 little distance appearing as a violet termination, 

 bordered by a scarlet thread. On each maxilla 

 there is a narrow stripe of deep shining green, 

 similar to the forehead in colour. No trace of axil- 

 lary tufts or colouring on the shoulders. Bill, legs, 

 and feet black. 



As in Africa we have the Nectariniadse in the 

 greatest profusion, both in numbers and species, so 

 do we find the more varied forms. These are most 

 apparent in the form of the tail, which is square, 

 wedge-shaped, or has the centre feathers only much 

 elongated; the first we have seen in the species 

 we have been describing, and as an example of the 

 second we now give the representation of the 



