126 SPLENDID SUNBIRD. 



sider that our plates belie our descriptions, or that 

 the former are inaccurately or carelessly, done, be- 

 cause they do not justify the encomiums of the 

 latter. 



In regard to the Sunbird now before us, its de- 

 scription, setting aside its delineation, is somewhat 

 difficult. Its head and neck may be called either 

 purple, blue, violet, or lilac ; for it changes to one 

 or other of these tints according to the direction it 

 is held in, whether to or from the light, whether 

 viewed by the sun, or by a candle ; in either case, 

 the plumage is as glossy as polished steel, while 

 those parts not illumined by the light become abso- 

 lutely black. Such is the appearance of the crown, 

 sides of the head, the neck, and the throat, to a 

 little beyond the breast, where this colour is crossed 

 by several narrow irregular lines of bright scarlet, 

 something in the manner of the Senegal Sunbird, 

 but less distinct : the lower half of the body, to the 

 vent, is deep uniform black without any gloss : the 

 upper plumage, from the inter scapulars to the tail- 

 covers, is of the most brilliant polished blue-green, 

 one or other of which colours preponderate accord- 

 ing to the light ; but there is no golden or other 

 tint intermixed : the same green is upon the lesser 

 wing-covers and the under tail-covers. What par- 

 ticularly distinguishes this species from all others 

 yet known, is the great prolongation of the upper 

 tail-covers, which are quite as long as (and entirely 

 conceal) the tail itself, the feathers of which are 

 all even and blue-black : the wings, feet, and bill 



