134 



AMETHYST-THROATED SUNBIRD. 



Cinnyris ameihystina^ CUVIER. 



Black ; front, shining green ; throat, rump, and spot on the 

 wing-covers, amethystine red. 



Certhia amethystina, Auctorum Le Sucrier Velours, Le Vaill. 



Ois. cTAf. vi. pi. 294, f. 1. Le Soui-manga a front dore, 

 Vieill. pi. 5, 6. 



IT is peculiarly difficult, in a group like tlie present, 

 where the species are nearly all decorated with 

 many and changeable colours, to convey, by mere 

 words, a correct idea of their respective peculiari- 

 ties. In the present instance, however, we have 

 one of the very few exceptions which the Sunbirds 

 present against this remark. It might, with equal 

 propriety, be called the Black Cinnyris, for it is 

 the only species yet discovered whose plumage is 

 chiefly of that colour. It seems to inhabit both 

 the western and southern parts of Africa ; for we 

 have seen several specimens from Senegal, and Le 

 Vaillant mentions having found it, in different; 

 stages of plumage, in the Anteniquoi country and 

 near the river Gamtoos. After the breeding sea- 



