

uniform pale yellow pectoral tufts. It much resembles in general plumage the rare C. albiventris 

 of the Somali country, which, however, may be readily distinguished by its smaller size and by 

 having the front half of the pectoral tufts bright orange. 



It inhabits South Africa, but is not found in Cape colony. On the western side of the 

 continent it has been collected by Senor Anchieta at Capangombe, in Benguela, where it is 

 known to the natives as " Mariapinda," a name which in that district appears to apply equally 

 to all Sun-birds. In Lord Walden's and Mr. Sharpe's cabinets I have seen specimens collected by 

 Mr. Andersson from Damara Land, at Ovaquenyama and Elephant Vley ; and that traveller, in 

 his notes published by Mr. Gurney (B. Damara Land, p. 72) observes: — "I only met with this 

 exquisite little species in my journeyings to the Okavango, in the neighbourhood of which river 

 it was very abundant during the rainy season, being a migratory species, and arriving a little 

 before the commencement of the rains. 



" I also found it very common, though exceedingly shy, on the edge of the bush in Ondonga, 

 where I obtained its nest on February 19th ; the nest was very large and strongly built, and 

 resembled in form and material that of C.fusca; it contained five small, oblong, and pure white 

 eggs. Another nest, taken on March 27th, also contained five eggs. 



" This Sun-bird is exceedingly lively in its habits, and at the approach of the pairing-season 

 it becomes inspired with the most lovely and exquisite melodies ; in fact its voice is then 

 enchanting beyond description, being a concentration of the softest thrilling and melodious 

 notes. I always found it either singly or in pairs." 



Sir Andrew Smith, during his expedition into the interior, first discovered this species, and 

 records it as inhabiting the country between the Orange river and Kurrichane : from hence 

 throughout Namaqua Land, as far north as Walwich Bay, I can find no evidence of its occurrence 

 further south ; but to the eastward Mr. Buckley records it as common in the Bamangwato district, 

 where they are generally seen in pairs. From Natal it is mentioned by Mr. Gurney ; and there 

 is a specimen, collected by Mr. Meller in the Zambesi district, in Mr. Sharpe's cabinet. 



To the kindness of Mr. Layard I am indebted for the following note made by Captain 

 Harford : — " This species always goes in pairs ; and I have hardly ever seen many together. They 

 keep company very often with the ' White-eyes ' (Zosterops), and utter a note similar to theirs." 

 Two eggs, sent by the above-named gentleman from Natal, resembled those of N. famosa, but were 

 paler and less densely speckled ; axis 9"', diam. 6'", and rather truncated in shape. 



