,_j 



Male in moult. Similar in plumage to the adult female, but with the metallic portions beginning to show 

 on the lesser wing- and tail-coverts and down the centre of the throat. 



Hab. Abyssinia and Bogos Land. 



Tins fine Sun-bird is readily distinguished from the other members of the genus Nectarinia, 

 which have the two central tail-feathers considerably elongated, by the violet and coppery lustre 

 of its plumage. 



It inhabits North-eastern Africa, especially affecting the more mountainous districts. Mr. 

 Salt, who first discovered it in Abyssinia, only met with it in the low hot valleys, while Ruppell 

 records it from the Taranta Mountains at an elevation of 8300 feet. According to Von Heuglin, 

 our best authority upon the birds of N.E. Africa (Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 222), it is resident throughout 

 the eastern, central, and southern portions of Abyssinia, where it was observed by Ruppell and 

 himself, more frequently in the mountains than in the low lands, living mostly in pairs or family 

 parties, and seeking its food amongst the flowering plants and trees. It is not shy in its habits ; 

 and it remains very constantly in the same locality until the shrubs have done flowering, when 

 it becomes partially migratory in search of districts where blossoms are more abundant ; for its 

 food consists of small beetles and flies which infest the flowers. At Semien and Begemedere 

 (Guna) he met with it at elevations above 13,000 feet. 



According to his observations the fresh breeding-plumage is assumed in March and April ; 

 but the male at no time loses its metallic colours; and he remarks that he has met with it at 

 all seasons, excepting during the autumn months, when he was never in a locality frequented by 

 this species. This statement appears to me to differ from that made by Mr. Blanford (Geol. & 

 Zool. Abyss, p. 352), where he observes: — "The non-breeding plumage is dull; it is only in the 

 breeding-season that the males acquire their rich purple colour." If we argue from the seasonal 

 changes of plumage usually gone through by members of this family, it would appear that 

 Mr. Blanford's observations are the most correct ; for I understand by his calling the non-breeding 

 plumage dull, that this bird assumes a distinct winter dress, as its near ally N.famosa most 

 certainly does ; yet we should not forget that Von Heuglin's statements are those of an able 

 ornithologist, who has had long personal experience in the facts he records. 



According to Mr. Blanford {I. c), " this fine Nectarinia ranges to a much higher elevation than 

 the other species. It was common about Senafe and Adigrat, and was still abundant at 10,000 

 feet on the Wanday pass. In May they were apparently breeding about Senafe. It was very 

 difficult to find the females, which were probably occupied in incubation." Mr. Jesse (Tr. Z. S. 

 vii. p. 227) found it only at Rayrayguddy, on the 8th of April, and at Goongoona, Facado, and 

 Senafe in May. Dr. Beccari met with it at Keren in May ; and it is, as Antinori and Salvador! 

 remark, undoubtedly rare in Bogos. 



The present species was originally named Certhia tacazze, after the river Takazze, a tributary 

 of the Atbara, where Salt first discovered it. I have adhered to the original spelling in prefer- 

 ence to such names as Nectarinia tacaziena, Heuglin, or N. tacazziana, Finsch, which have been 

 proposed as more classical, as I do not consider that we gain any advantage by making such 

 alterations — if indeed we have the right to do so in any case, excepting where the name has been 

 wrongly spelt by a misprint or error in the publication. 



