PROMEROPID^E. 77 



small insects, and these it collects partly from the branches and leaves 

 of brushwood and dwarf trees, and partly from flowers." A. Smith, 

 loc. cit. 



125. Nectarinia Oollaris, vieii., N. Diet. d'Hist. 



Nat. XXXI., p. 502 ; Le Sucrier Gamtocin, Le Vail., 

 PL 299 ; Jard. Sunbirds, PL 6. 



THE head, back of neck, rump, upper wing-coverts, and tail, 

 golden-green ; all the lower parts of the body dullish - 

 yellow ; neck golden ; on the breast a collar of brilliant blue. 

 The female has no collar ; otherwise, though less bright, 

 her plumage is similar to that of the male. Each has the 

 bill and feet blackish ; the eyes brown, 



Le Vaillant states that they keep together for some time in families, 

 consisting of the parent birds, and seven or eight young ones ; also, that 

 they are abundant near the " Gamtoos " River. Sundevall has it 

 from Kaffraria. I have not seen it. 



126 Nectarinia Bifasciata, Shaw, Vol. s, P . 



198; C. Nitens, Vieil., Jard. Sunbirds, PL 4.; C. 

 Mariquensis, A. Smith. 



GREEN and gold, with black-brown quill- feathers ; belly and 

 tail, and red pectoral bar, bounded above by a steel-blue one. 

 Length, 4" 9'" ; wing, 2" 9'" ; tail, 2". 



Dr. Smith found this species at Kurrichain ; and Mr. Verreaux cites 

 it from Natal. Mr. Andersson and Mr. Kisch procured it in Dama- 

 raland. 



127. Nectarinia Pamosa. (Linn.) PL En., 83, 



f. 1 ; Cuv., Vol. 2, p. 364 ; Vieil., Ois d'Or, t. 37, 38 ; 

 Le Sucrier Malachitte, Le Vail., PL 289 and 290. 

 GENERAL colour, rich shining green ; wings and tail black ; 

 side- tufts brilliant yellow ; two centre tail-feathers prolonged 

 three inches beyond the rest. Total length, 9" ; wing, 3" ; 

 tail, 5" 5'". 



Common throughout the colony. It is very partial to the blossoms 

 of the aloe, among which it finds an abundance of its insect food. 

 I have found it plentifully up the ravines of Table Mountain, extending 

 even to the top. It has a shrill, not unpleasing, but short song, and 

 when pursuing a rival utters a piercing scream. It is very combative, 

 and if two males meet about the same bush, a fight is sure to ensue, 

 to the great detriment of their beautiful tail-feathers. The males 

 lose their beauty in the winter season ; and the young birds are just 

 like the females. 



Eggs, reported to be those of this species, have been given me they 

 are of a dull, greyish-brown colour, minutely mottled all over. They 



