THE JAVANESE SUN-BIllD. 205 



the Himalaya mountains, and most plentifully near Nepal. In dimensions it is extremely 

 small, owing to the great difference which exists, even in adult males, in the length of 

 the central feathers of the tail, the disparity often amounting to two inches, so that the 

 length of the bird may be from three to five and a half inches. The forehead and the 

 top of the head are brilliant steel-blue, and the neck, the back, and the upper tail-coverts 

 are the most beautiful scarlet vermilion, diversified by a broad patch of bright yellow 

 upon the bend of the back. The two long central feathers of the tail are also bright 

 vermilion, and the side feathers are brown edged with the same brilliant hue. The 

 upper surface of the wdngs is olive-brown, each feather being brown and edged with 

 olive ; the under surface of the wing is greyish-white, worked here and there with very 

 pale brown. The breast is beautiful gold yellow, with a wash of crimson in the centre ; 

 and the abdomen, and remainder of the under parts, are rather pale olive-green. The 

 bill is blackish-brown. 



Before and after the breeding season the Eiery-tailed Sun-bird assumes a more sober 

 plumage, the general colour being olive, with a slight mark of pale scarlet upon the back. 

 The crimson patch on the breast vanishes, and the tail-feathers are all oi" equal length. 

 The female is olive-green above and greenish yellow below, and there is a slight mark of 

 red upon the base of the tail. 



The Collared Sun-bied is an inhabitant of many parts of Africa, stretching from the 

 northern portions of that continent as far as the western coasts. It is extremely plentiful 

 in the larger forests of the Cape and the interior, but there is very little information 

 concerning its habits, saving that they resemble those of its relations. The nidification of 

 this species differs according to the locality, for it places its nest in the interior of hollow 

 trees wherein it resides in the forests, and is content with the shelter of a thick bough when 

 there are no decaying trees within reach. 



The male Collared Sun-bird is a most beautiful little creature, bedecked with glowdng 

 tints of wonderful intensity. The general colour of the upper parts of the body and 

 breast is a rich golden green, the upper surface of the wings and tail being blackish brown 

 with green reflections. Across the breast are drawn several coloured bands, which have 

 earned for the bird its popular and expressive name, as all names should be. A narrow 

 band of bright steel-blue runs across the upper part of the breast, being rather wide in the 

 centre and narrowing rapidly towards the sides of the neck. Below this blue band runs 

 a broad belt of rich carmine, and immediately below the carmine is a third narrow band 

 of bright golden yellow. From the sides of tlie breast proceed several small feathery 

 plumes of the same golden hue. The remainder of the abdomen is greyish brown, and the 

 upper tail-coverts are violet-purple. 



The female is rather less in dimensions than her mate, and is veiy sober in her attire, 

 wearing a suit of uniform olive-brown, darker upon the wings and tail, and very pale 

 behind. The total length of this species is rather more than four and a half inches. 



There is another species of Sun-bird which closely resembles the last-mentioned bird 

 in its colouring, and is often mistaken for it. This is the Greater Collared Sun-bied 

 (Necfan'nia Afro), a rather larger bird, measuring at least one inch more in total length 

 than the preceding species. It is also an inhabitant of Africa, but is seldom seen in the 

 extreme south of that country, preferring the deep forests of the interior, and rarely 

 descending to the plains. Its nest is made in some hollow tree, and the eggs are four or 

 five in number and white in colour, plentifully variegated with tawny markings. It may 

 be distinguished from the common Collared Sun-bird by the greater amount of the bronze- 

 green hue, and by the shortness of the blue collar. 



The Javanese Sun-bird is a native of the country from which it derives its name. 

 It is a very pretty little creature, although its colours are not so resplendent as in several 

 of the species. The upper parts of the body are shining steely-purple, and the under 

 surface is olive-yellow. The throat is chestnut, and a bright violet streak runs from the 

 angle of the mouth to the breast. 



