XXVII. 

 SUN-BIRDS. 



[HE Sun-Birds have been called by old 

 writers the Humming-Birds of Africa. 



Africa is the home of a vast variety of 

 these beautiful birds. They are distin- 

 guished from each other by many marks and 

 signs, pointing out the different species. But in 

 all instances the plumage is brilliant, and the 

 under surface of the body is adorned with bands 

 or stripes of colour. 



The name of the family is Nectarinidce, and 

 has been given them from their habit of sipping 

 the nectar of flowers ; indeed, they were once 

 supposed to live entirely on honey. But this 



