256



Mr. Hubert D. Astley,



There are a goodly number of members of the species

CEtliopyga, all with longish pointed tails, and mostly shewing scarlet

and green and yellow in their plumage. CEthopyga flavostriata is a

beauty, the bright scarlet chin and throat being strongly streaked

with yellow in distinct lines, running downwards from the chin.

It inhabits the Celebes.


The Sun-Birds classed under Cinnyris have square tails, the

Purple Sun-Bird {C. asiaticus ) being' one that has been seen on the

show-bench for some time. In the sunshine a very beautiful

creature, looking rather like a miniature Rifle-Bird, but the mag¬

nificent general colour of deep shot blues, greens, and purples is

relieved by the orange yellow pectoral tufts at the shoulders. The

Purple Sun-Bird extends far into the Himalayas, and is abundant

in Ceylon in the maritime districts and low jungles.


Mr. Holdsworth wrote that at a Government rest-house in

the extreme south of the island, a pair of these birds had a nest in

the verandah, which was fastened to an iron rod hanging from the

roof, once used for suspending a lamp.


The birds showed very little fear, although he was for several

days sitting within a few feet of the nest. Mr. Morgan says that it

breeds in the Neilgherries up to an elevation of 6000 feet, as well as

in the plains.


The song is thought to resemble that of the Chaffinch, but

less strong, and more melodious. Others have likened it to that of

a Willow-Wren.


In winter it may be seen sporting on the sunny side of lofty

trees. As soon as the Saliajna {Hyper anther a maringa) begins to

blossom, it is constantly seen hovering before the white flowers, and

as each forest-tree blossoms, it rifles them of their sweets.


Dr. Jerdon has written that a pair built their nest just out¬

side his house-door at Julna. It was commenced on a thick spiders’

web, by attaching to it various fragments of paper, cloth, straw,

grass, and other substances, till it had secured a firm hold of the

twig to which the spider’s web adhered ; and the nest suspended on

this, was then completed by adding other fragments of the same

materials. The entrance was at one side, near the top, and had a

slight projecting roof, or awning, over it. The female laid two eggs,



