240 



HODGSON'S SUN-BIRD. 



Nectarinia Hodgsonis, JARDIN*, 



PLATE XXVIII. 



have provisionally named this fine species after 

 the individual who has done so much towards the 

 elucidation of the Zoology of Nipaul, although he 

 may himself have already applied a specific appel- 

 lation to it in some of the scattered periodicals where 

 he has detailed his discoveries. "We possess only a 

 single specimen, which is unfortunately somewhat 

 mutilated ; at the same time, we believe our figure 

 and description will be found to be tolerably cor- 

 rect. 



The extreme length, to the tips of the longest 

 tail-feathers, five inches and a half; the length of 

 the long feathers being about three. The crown and 

 nape of the neck, with two narrow stripes or length- 

 ened moustaches running from the base of the max- 

 illa upon the sides of the neck, are of a very rich 

 steel-blue, with violet purple and pink reflections. 

 The lower part of the rump, upper tail-coverts, and 

 centre tail-feathers, are of the same beautiful colours, 

 the latter being broadened at their base, disconnected 

 in their webs, and extended disproportionately be- 



