150 THE SPLENDID SUN-BIRD. 



One of the marigolds has a tuberous root, which 

 is eaten raw ; and from the leaves of another the 

 Hottentots prepare a substance which they chew 

 like tobacco. 



In the western part of Africa is found one of 

 the most beautiful of the Sun-Birds. It is called 

 the Splendid Sun-Bird ; and no more suitable 

 name could be given to it. Its neck is of a golden- 

 green, and varies in colour with every changing 

 light. Its head and throat sometimes look black, 

 and sometimes of a rich violet. It has a band of 

 scarlet across its breast, and its tail is jet-black, 

 edged with golden-green. 



And so do the tints of this wonderful bird 

 change with every light, that the breast looks as 

 if it were banded with blue, and green, and violet. 

 The reason of this play of colours is owing to the 

 structure of the feathers. Each feather has a tip 

 of vermilion, so fine that it is lost against the tint 

 of the feather beneath, and only comes now and 

 then to sight. The base of the feather is a 

 metallic blue or green. 



Two lemon-coloured tufts spring from each side 



