142 THROUGH GASA LAND. 



attention of the scientific world to it ; hence it has 

 been called Andersson's sun-bird (Cinnyris Anders- 

 sonii). Its discoverer writes most enthusiastically of 

 this attractive little creature : — " At the approach of 

 the pairing season," he says, " it becomes inspired 

 with the most lovely and exquisite melodies ; in fact, 

 its voice is then enchanting beyond description, being 

 a concentration of the softest, thrilling, and melo- 

 dious notes." The late Mr. Strickland's description 

 of this rare and gorgeously-plumaged gem, taken 

 from a mature male bird, is well worthy of trans- 

 cribing : — " Head, back, and lesser wing-covers 

 metallic green, the crown with a coppery gloss, 

 upper tail covers bluish green, greater wing covers 

 and remiges, deep fuscous, margined externally with 

 greyish brown, chin bluish green, cheeks and throat 

 bright coppery green, a broad zone on the breast of 

 violet-purple, followea by a narrow one dull greyish 

 brown, axillary tufts gamboge-yellow, abdomen, 

 sides, and lower tail covers dirty white, beak and 

 legs black." In this there is an extraordinary com- 

 bination of shades and colours, but they harmonise 

 and blend so beautifully chat the tout ensemble of the 

 costume is simply perfect. But while I have been 

 giving the above description, let the reader suppose 

 that Sunday and self have reached the rising ground 

 that forms the foot hills of the range beyond my 

 residence. The walking is rough, but not more so 

 than would be found in Scotland in similar situa- 



