SUNBIRDS 219 



The genus Arachnechthra is characterised by a 

 great difference in appearance between the sexes. 

 The hens of all the species are very like one another ; 

 all are homely - looking birds, dull greenish brown 

 above and pale yellow below. The cocks of the 

 various species are arrayed in metallic colours as 

 resplendent as those that decorate humming birds. 



Seen from a little distance, the cock of the purple- 

 rumped species is a bird with dark head, neck, wings, 

 back, and tail, and bright yellow under parts, while 

 the female is brown above and yellowish beneath. 

 Thus at a distance the male does not look much more 

 beautiful than the female, but if one is able to creep 

 up sufficiently near him his plumage is seen to be 

 unsurpassable ; it glistens with a splendid metallic 

 sheen, which is purple or green according to the 

 direction from which the sun's rays fall upon it. On 

 the top of the head is a patch of brilliant shining 

 metallic green, which exceeds in beauty any crown 

 devised by man. 



The cocks of the purple and Loten's species are 

 very much alike, but may be readily distinguished 

 by the fact that the slender curved bill of Loten's 

 is considerably longer than that of its cousin. How 

 shall I describe these beautiful birds ? In my volume 

 Indian Birds I classed them among black birds, 

 because they look black when seen at a distance, 

 but I stated that they are in reality dark purple, 

 and have been taken to task for not classing them 

 among the blue birds. The fact of the matter is that 

 these birds cannot be said to be of any colour ; like 



