142 THE FOOD OF BIRDS IN INDIA. 



The Sun-birds. . .are entirely arboreal in their habits, and feed 

 on minute insects, and on the nectar of flowers. F. I., II, 343. 



White-ants flying. B. N. H. S. J., X., 303. 



Sun-birds do not live exclusively upon honey. They vary this 

 diet with minute insects which they pick off flowers and leaves. 

 D. B. P. The food consists mainly of insects sometimes taken 

 on the wing with their larvae and spiders. E. B. C. N. H., 570. 



882. Aeihopyga seherice. Himalayan Yellow-backed Sun-bird. 

 Larvae of flies, spiders and ants= In captivity on sugar and water, 

 honey, and bread and milk. (Sykes). - Jerd. B. I., I., 363. 



886. Aethopyga vigorsi. Vigors' Yellow-backed Sun-bird. 

 Larvss of flies, spiders and ants. Jerd. B. I. I., 364. 



887. A. ignicauda. Fire-tailed Yellow-backed Sun-bird. 

 Largely on honey secreted by the various species of Rhododendron 

 found in the hills. B. N. H. S. J., XV, 514. 



888. A. gouldoe. Mrs. Gould's Yellow-backed Sun-bird. Feed- 

 ing young on insects. B. N. H. S. J., IX., 500. 



890. A. saturata. Black-breasted Yellow-backed Sun-bird 

 Common among wild cherry flowers. A. S. B., LXIX, 125. 



894. Arachnechthra lotenia. Loten's Sun-bird. Spiders in 

 verandah. Jerd. B. I., I., 364. 



895. A. asiatica. Purple Sun-bird. Partly on nectar of 

 flowers, but a good deal on insects, small cicadellse, flies, spiders, 

 &c. Jerd. B. 1. 1., 371. Small insects off ground and on wing. B. 

 N. H. S. J., XIV, 364. 



Stomachs examined 



8-2-09. 12 Tineid caterpillars. 

 15-2-08. 1 Spider. 

 20-2-08. 3 Small Geometrid larvae. 



2 Small spiders. 

 18-2-07. 5 Small flies. 

 12-3-09. 5 Small Geometrid larvae, 



probably obtained from a Sissoo tree. 

 17-3-07. 3 Small flies. 

 20-3-08. (Empty). 



