8oo 



The Sparrow-like Birds 



flowers are blooming. They are strictly arboreal, seeking their food, which 

 consists principally of insects and their larvae and spiders, among the branches 

 of trees and shrubs, often assuming all the attitudes of Titmice or Creepers 



FIG. 222. Sun-bird, Cinnyris notata. 



similarly engaged. While some of them have at times a pleasing song, many of 

 their ordinary notes are rather shrill, and when the males engage in combat, as 

 they often do, they utter piercing screams. They are strong and quick on the 

 wing, the flight being accompanied by rapid wing-beats, and when at rest 



