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CINNYEIS ALBIVENTEIS. 



(EAST-AFRICAN WHITE-BREASTED SUN-BIRD.) 



Nectarinia albimntris, Strickl. Contr. Orn. 1852, p. 42, pi. 86; Sclat. torn. cit. p. 124; id. 



Rep. Coll. Somali Country, p. 14 (1860); Speke, Ibis, 1860, p. 247; Heugl. Faun. Eoth. 



Meer. in Peterm. Mitth. p. 21. no. 54(1861); id. J. f. O. 1864, p. 203; Gray, Hand-1. B. 



i. p. 107. no. 1292; Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ost-Afr. p. 223 (1870); Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. 



p. 234 (1871). 

 Cinnyricincle albiventris, Reichb. Handb. Scansorise, p. 306. no. 717, pi. 607 = 562 5. 



figs. 4078-79 (1854). 



cJ ad. similis C. talatal/s sed minor : fasciis pectoralibus antice aurantiacis, postice flavis. 



2 ad. similis feininse C. talatalce sed minor. 



Hab. in terra, Somalensi Africse orientalis. 



Adult Male. Upper parts, including the least and median series of wing-coverts, metallic green glossed with 

 steel-blue, passing into violet, sliaded steel-blue on the forehead and upper tad-coverts ; quills and 

 greater series of wing-coverts dark brown, the feathers narrowly edged with pale brown ; tail brownish 

 black, the feathers edged with bronzy green ; chin and throat violet, shaded steel-blue, incbning to 

 green on the sides of the upper throat ; breast and under tail-coverts pure white ; pectoral tufts orange 

 in front, and sulphur-yellow behind; thighs dark brown; under surface of the wings brown, with white 

 inner margins to the quills ; under wing-coverts partially glossed with metallic green or steel-blue. 

 Total length 3'6 inches, culnien 0"65, wing 2"1, tail 1"5, tarsus 0"65. 



Adult Female. Upper parts, as well as the sides of the head, uniform pale brown ; wings dark brown, the 

 feathers edged with pale brown ; upper tad-coverts and the tail dark brown, the former slightly glossed 

 with bronzy green; underparts white. Total length 3 - l inches, culmen O60, wing T95, tail 1"3, 

 tarsus 0'6. 



Hab. Somali Country, in Eastern Africa. 



Obs. The type specimens, from which the above descriptions have been taken, are in very bad condition, 

 and consequently difficult to measure accurately. 



Little is known concerning the present species, which appears to be entirely confined to the 

 Somali country, a portion of Africa of which the avifauna is very slightly known. The type 

 specimens, an adult male and female, from which the above descriptions and figures have been 

 taken, were collected by Mr. J. Daubeny, at Ras Hafoon, the most eartem point of the African 

 continent. These specimens, which are in the Strickland collection at Cambridge, have been 

 kindly lent to me by Mr. Salvin. They undoubtedly belong to a well-marked species, which I 

 consider should be arranged between C. venustus, of the West coast, and C. talatala, of South 



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