THE PURPLE-HEADED SUNBIRD 
Field Notes : —This is a confiding little bird usually allow- 
ing a close approach on the part of the observer. The red 
colour immediately disting-uishes the male but it would be very 
difficult, if not impossible, to distin^^^uish between the females 
of ,4. si pa raja and Lcpiocoma bras Hi am in the field. 
Other habits : — This bird feeds on the nectar of Canna 
flowers and like other sunbirds will puncture the flower at the 
base m order to g^et at the sweet food. It also eats insects 
and is fond of spiders. Mr. Jacob son of Sumatra notes that 
the species is to be found wherever Eugcnta mahccensis is 
flowering. 
We have seen nestlings of this species taken in Singapore 
but have never found a nest. 
It is interesting to note that this bird is characteristic of 
the lowlands wherever it is found and that in the mountains, 
rougfily speaking above 3,000 feet, its place is taken by an 
allied species A, temmincki. 
This is very much !ike siparaja in general appearance but 
perhaps on account of its much paler underparts it is even more 
beautiful. A. temmmcki is common near the Gunong Angsi 
bungalow in Negri Sembilan. 
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