

>0 



Cinnyris canora, Bp. Consp. Av. i. p. 407. no. 21 (1850) ; Reichb. Handb. Scansorise, p. 288. 



no. 666, pi. 574. fig. 3913 (1854). 

 Nectarinia scarlatina, Mull. J. f. O. 1855, p. 16. no. 177; Grill, Zool. Anteckn. pp. 11, 39 



(1858). 

 Nectarinia ludovicensis, Bocage, Jorn. Lisb. ii. p. 41. no. 17(1868); Gray, Hand-1. B. i. 



p. 107. no. 1304. 

 Nectarinia canora, Gray, Hand-1. B. i. p. 106. no. 1288 (1869). 



(j ad. supra metallice viridis, tectricibus alarum dorso concoloribus : his majoribus primariisque saturate 

 brunneis pallidius marginatis : supracaudalibus chalybeis : cauda brunnescenti-nigra : gutture toto et 

 praepectore metallice viridibus dorso concoloribus, torque infra marginante angusta metallice chalybea : 

 torque lata, pectorali scarlatina : fasciis pectoralibus flavis, abdomine et subcaudalibus cinerascenti- 

 brunneis. 



2 ad. supra cinerascenti-brunnea, supracaudalibus olivascente lavatis : supercilio obsolete albicante : remigibus 

 saturate brunneis, pallidius marginatis : cauda brunnescenti-nigra, rectricibus externis anguste albo 

 terminatis : subtus pallidissime cinerascenti-brunnea. 



Hab. in Africa meridionali. 



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

 series and quills dark brown, the feathers narrowly margined with pale brown ; upper tail-coverts steel- 

 blue ; tail brownish black, the outer feather on each side paler and with a narrow whitish edge ; a black 

 patch in front of the eye ; sides of the head and neck, entire throat and fore neck mctalhc green like 

 the back, followed by a narrow steel-blue collar; entire front of the chest bright glossy scarlet, forming 

 a broad belt ; pectoral tufts sulphur-yellow ; lower breast, under tail-coverts, and under wing-coverts 

 ashy brown; bill and legs black; irides dark brown. Total length 5 - 5 inches, culmen Tl, wing 2 - 6, 

 tail 2'3, tarsus 075. 



Adult Female. Upper parts ashy brown, with a slight olive shade on the upper tail-coverts ; an obscure 

 whitish eyebrow ; wings dark brown, the feathers edged with pale brown ; tail brownish black, the 

 outer feathers on each side paler and narrowly edged with white ; underparts very pale ashy brown, 

 with a slight yellow shade down the centre of the abdomen ; under wing-coverts white ; bill and legs 

 black; irides dark brown. Total length 5 inches, culmen 1 - 1, wing 2 - 5, tail 2"25, tarsus 0'75. 



Hab. South Africa. 



Obs. Immature males, and males in fidl moult, resemble the females in plumage. The brilliant colours 

 first appear on the head and throat, and lastly on the lower back. 



This bandsome Sun-bird belongs to the ashy-breasted section of the " pale metallic group," and 

 is closely allied to C. chalybeus and C. chloropygius, from which the present species may be readily 

 distinguished by its greater size and by the greater breadth of the scarlet pectoral band. 



In South Africa it is widely distributed ; and although a very common and well-known bird, 

 its occurrence has not been recorded from many districts which are apparently within its range : 

 for instance, it has been collected by Senor Anchieta at Biballa, in Benguela, where it is known 

 to the natives by the name of "Kanjoi? and Mr. Layard records it from the Lake-Ngami district 



