BliUE-HEADED HONEYSUCKER.— A'ectarijua cyamccphcra. 



It is probable that the poor little bird died, as was supposed, from the effects of its diet. 

 A similar story is told of some of the humming-birds, by Webber, where the little creatures 

 pined after long feeding upon syrup alone, but, on being permitted to fly at liberty, 

 immediately set to work upon the little garden spiders, and soon recovered their health 

 and brilliancy. This need of animal food seemed to be periodical and irresistible. 



In the same account, a portion of which has just been extracted, Captain Boys asserts 

 that the nest of the Asiatic Sun-bird is very rudely made, whereas Mr. Layard tells us 

 that it is constructed in a remarkably neat manner, and that it is often suspended from a 

 twig in such a manner that the spiders cover it with their webs, and make it almost 

 invisible. 



This beautiful bird, which is represented in the accompanying illustration, is a good 

 specimen of the genus Nectarinia. 



The Blue-headed Honeysxjckee is an inhabitant of Brazil, where it is extremely 

 common, and by the bright gorgeousness of its plumage, and the restless activity of its 

 movements, adds much to the beauty of the wondrous scenery among which it dwells. 

 It is found spread over the whole of Brazil, and may always be found haunting the 

 blossoming trees and plants, dashing to and fro with its glancing flight, hovering with 

 tremulous wing over the flowers while indetermined in its choice, and plunging its long 

 beak eagerly into their newly-opened blossoms, where it finds its food. It is not known 

 to feed while on the wing, as is the case with the humming-birds, but perches near or 

 upon the flower, and clings with its strong little feet while taking its meal. 



The Blue-headed Honeysucker derives its name from the azure-blue which decorates 

 its head, and which is very changeable in different lights. The throat, the back, the tail, 

 and the wings are black, except that the quill-feathers are edged with blue. The female 

 bird does not possess the beautiful tints of her mate, the greater part of her plumage 

 being green, tinged with blue upon the head and the scapularies ; the throat is grey. This 

 bird is known by several other titles, such as the Cayenne Warbler, the Blue-headed 

 Warbler, and the Blue-headed Creeper. 



