Indian Birds 
with yellow under parts, but the cocks wear a 
gay livery. They build large hanging nests, 
composed of dried grass, leaves, etc., held 
together by cobweb, so that they look, from a 
little distance, like hanging masses of rubbish. 
Close inspection shows that the nest is pear-' 
shaped, with a circular entrance at one side 
and a little porch over the entrance. The 
nests are found in gardens, being sometimes 
suspended from the roof of the verandah. 
These birds feed largely on the nectar of 
flowers, which they abstract by means of their 
long tubular tongues. In order to obtain the 
honey they frequently hover on rapidly-vibrat- 
ing wings, like humming birds. 
106. Arachnechthra lotenia: Loten’s Sun- 
bird. (F. 894), (J. 235), (- 1) 
Cock: ‘The whole plumage is dark metallic 
purple, looking black in some lights, but in the 
sun’s rays it displays a green or lilac sheen. The 
beak is long and curved. 
Hen: Upper plumage earthy brown, lower 
plumage very pale yellow. 
Found only in S. India. Very common in 
Madras. (Illus. B. P., pp. 78, 82, and go.) 
107. Arachnechthra asiatica: The Purple 
Sunbird. (F. 895), (J. 234), (-L) 
152 
