76 THE BIRDS OF CALCUTTA. 



proportionately bigger bill, both longer and stouter 

 although maintaining the curved and slender form 

 80 characteristic of these birds. 



The male of this species is clad throughout in rich 

 metallic purple, set ofi by a flame-coloured tuft 

 under each armpit which, is ordinarily concealed by the 

 wings. It projects, however, when the bird is 

 settled for repose, and is, I believe, shown off in 

 'Courtship. 



The hen is olive and yellow like that of the yellow- 

 bellied species, but she can easily be distinguished 

 by her bigger bill, and by having a yellow throat as 

 well as breast ; the throat in the hen of the commoner 

 bird being of a dirty white, not yellow. The Purple 

 cock apparently thinks his wedding garment too 

 expensive to be worn the whole year round ; for after 

 nesting he doffs it, and assumes female plumage, 

 retaining only a purple streak from chain to stomach 

 as a mark of his sex. The young cocks are at first 

 like the hen, not having even this distinctive mark. 



This species of Honeysucker is a quieter and less 

 sociable bird than the other ; he is commonly seen 

 alone, has a great fancy for particular spots, and 

 does not flirt his wings like his rival. He is, however, 

 a much better songster, being nearly equal to a 

 canary ; and sings much merely to amuse himself. I 

 well remember one bird which came to the Museum 



