THE



231



Avicultural Magazine,


BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE



AVICULTURAL SOCIETY.



Third Series .— Vol. V. — No. 8. —All rights reserved. JUNE, 1914.



THE AMETHYST SUN-BIRD.


Cinnyris amethystinus.


By Hubert D. Astley.


The Amethyst Sun-bird is found in South Africa, ranging as

far as Angola on the Western Coast. It belongs to the “dark

brown ” group, named Chalcomitra by Beichenbach, and to that

section in which the front of the chest is not scarlet.


It is distinguished by its velvet-like deep colour. It is

common in many parts of South Africa, but appears not to occur

from that portion of the South-West coast lying between the Orange

Biver and the Cape of Good Hope. It is abundant in the Eastern

provinces. It has been procured in the neighbourhood of Swellendam

in the mimosa trees which line the banks of the rivers. Also in the

Transvaal and Natal it is common, as well as Swaziland. In Natal

this handsome Sun-bird is said to remain in the bushy country

about Pinetown throughout the year. Mr. Atmore found a nest at

Oudtshoorn on the 24th of January, “hanging on a branch of an

apple tree, very rough outside, composed of short bits of stick, grass,

and spider’s web—arched, as are the nests of all the tribe. The

number of eggs appear to be two ; before they were blown they were

of a soft creamy-yellow colour.”


Other observers say the eggs are a beautiful creamy-grey,

with indistinct confused blotches, spots and streaks, chiefly at the

obtuse end. The male has a short period when the plumage is'

duller, and when assuming the breeding colours the metallic lilac

feathers on the throat grow first, after which the bird becomes

generally mottled with black feathers, while the metallic green crown



