THE SUNBIRDS. 113 



well, and is much more familiar than most of the Larks, 

 it would be an acquisition in any country. 



THE SUNBIRDS. 



The Sunbirds, commonly called Honey- suckers by 

 Europeans, and ShaJcar Mora by natives, are most 

 charming little creatures, only found in the warm parts 

 of the Old World. They are often mistaken for the 

 true Humming-birds, which they resemble in feeding 

 on nectar and small insects, and rival in the beauty 

 of their plumage. But the Humming-birds are confined 

 to the New World, and so none of them are ever to be 

 seen in India. Moreover, they have quite distinct habits 

 from any other birds, being constantly on the wing with 

 a buzzing flight like that of the hawk-moths, which 

 insects they resemble, rather than birds, to an in- 

 experienced eye. The Honey- suckers, on the other hand 

 hop about the twigs like other little birds, perching on the 

 flower-stems to extract the honey, etc., from the blossoms, 

 and only hovering a little occasionally. They have long 

 slender bills, usually curved, and fairly long legs. Their 

 wings are moderate in size, but although usually very small 

 birds, they fly high and strongly, and do not mind exposing 

 themselves in the open at any rate this is the case with 

 the two commonest Indian species. They build hanging 

 nests, and lay spotted eggs. The cocks are very brilliantly 

 coloured, but the hens are plain, though dainty and 

 graceful in appearance ; the young are like their mothers. 



These lovely little birds are very tame and familiar, 

 coming freely into gardens, and allowing themselves to 

 F, GAB 8 



