206 THE MALACHITE SUN-BIRD. 



of gamboge-yellow plumes. Bill and legs are black. 

 This plumage, together with the lengthened tail- 

 feathers, is lost immediately after the season of in- 

 cubation, when it becomes nearly of a uniform dull 

 oil-green, yellowish on the throat, paler on the under 

 parts (and described by Le Vaillant as yellowish, 

 which characterises the adult from the young male 

 in the first moult) ; the centre feathers of the tail 

 coming in of an equal length with the others. The 

 female is described to be considerably less in size, 

 and to be entirely of an olive-brown colour, the 

 outer feathers of the tail being bordered witli 

 white. 



This species is abundant in the vicinity of the 

 Cape of Good Hope, or at least was so in the days 

 of Le Vaillant, remaining stationary during the year, 

 frequenting the gardens, and there extracting the 

 juices from the flowers. It extends also along the 

 eastern coast, and the author above quoted states 

 that fifty may be found in a day by remaining 

 quiet within reach of one of their favourite plants, 

 to which they constantly flock. The nest is com- 

 posed of slender twigs covered externally with moss. 

 The eggs are four or five in number, and are of a 

 greenish colour. 



