238 HONEY-SUCKERS. 



rous delicate and ornamental Iridacea, and the fantastic 

 blossoms of the Orchis tribe be passed over in silence, 

 for various are the singular shapes that cross the path in 

 traversing these barren plains of Africa. 



The sandy parts from Simon's Town to the Table 

 Mountain, are covered with the succulent leaves of the 

 Fig-Marigold, which gaily disports its yellow blossoms in 

 every direction, while Euphorbias, of anomalous forms, 

 spring up around, startling the eye with the strange 

 fantastic shapes they almost invariably assume. In short, 

 the way of the traveller is cheered at every step by 

 strange and brilliant flowers, and curious plants that give 

 an air of pleasing variety to the otherwise rude wilder- 

 ness of the Cape. 



Among the most interesting objects that attract the 

 eye of the naturalist, during his excursions in the vicinity 

 of the Cape, none are more likely to interest him than 

 the Honey-suckers and the Cormorants. 



The Nectarinite, or Honey-suckers, do not differ 

 materially in their habits from the Fairy-like Sun-birds, 

 except in clinging to boughs and stems, more after the 

 manner of the Cert/iice. They stoop their heads, and 

 insert their long and narrow beaks into the tubular 

 corollas, to search for the honey and insects of the 

 nectaries. From analyses of the contents of their 

 stomachs, I ascertained that their food is always insects 

 and honey. They are more homely and unpretending in 

 their feathery garb, and want the vivacity and dazzling 

 aspect of their fellow-plunderers, the Cinnyrides. 



The Cormorant forms quite a peculiar feature in the 

 scenery of the Cape coast. Seated on the rocks, with 



