211 



BLUE-RUMPED LONG-TAILED SUN-BIRD. 



Nectarinia metallica, LICHTENSTEIN. 



OF this species, closely allied to the last, there are 

 figures of both sexes in the Planche Coloriees, and 

 in the Atlas to Riippell's " Reise in Nordlicheii 

 Afrika" In form and general distribution of colour- 

 ing, this bird nearly resembles the last, but the lower 

 parts of the back upper tail-covers, and tail, are 

 of a bright metallic blue. The dark colour of the 

 throat and fore part of the neck also is bordered 

 with a distinct collar of clear blue, wanting in 



' o 



the species we have previously figured. Cretzsch- 

 mar, in Ruppell's Atlas, describes the female as 

 grey (hair brown) on the upper part of the body ; 

 the wings, and also the tail dark, with a light 

 border; the two outer feathers having white tips. 

 The whole lower parts of the body pale lemon- 

 yellow, paler on the chin, throat, and under tail- 

 covers. 



Nubia and the vicinity of Dongala are the locali- 

 ties given to it by Temminck. Cretzschmar, on 

 the authority of Riippel, states that it is found in 

 all North-eastern Africa, south of Suckot, nestling 

 in the acacia trees. 



