742 
CATALOGUE. 
other fruit-jam is a better kind of food on which to keep these nectar- 
feeding birds. The members of the present genus, however, by no 
means confine themselves to a regimen of this kind ; and I have taken 
so large a spider from the stomach of i^T. asiatica, as to have wondered 
how it could have been swallowed. 
According to 3Ir. "VTalter Elliot, the present species ' builds a 
hanging nest, with an entrance near the top, opening downwards ; ' 
and such is the form of a beautiful fabric before me, which I am 
assured is the production of this bird. It is attached, nearly through- 
out its length, to a small thorny twig, and is of an elongated pear- 
shape, composed chiefly of soft vegetable fibres very densely and 
neatly interwoven ; on the outside are some coarser strips of grass 
leaves, scalings of bark, &c. ; but the substance and internal lining 
are constructed of the softest fibres only, which are reflected over the 
lower portion of the entrance, so as to fasten down its rim, imparting 
thus a neatness of finish to this part of the structure ; above the floor 
of the entrance is an overhanging roof or canopy, formed by the 
lining of the upper third or more of the nest, being made to project 
semicircularly over the orifice, and then finished externally, like the 
rest, with coarser material, and some bits of leaves and the like to 
disguise the nature of the fabric." — (Blyth.) 
" This species appears to be more abimdant in the Carnatic than 
in any other part of the peninsula. In that district it is very 
common, and to be seen in almost every garden, flitting about from 
flower to flower, its brilliant hues every now and then displayed to 
the eye, as it catches their reflection by the sun." — (Jerdon.) 
Some interesting remarks respecting this species are given by 
M. Sundevall, in Ann. Sat. Hist. (1846), p. 256 ; and by Capt. 
E. C. Tytler, in Ann. Xat. Hist. (1854), p. 373. 
1083. LEPTOCOMA MINIMA, SyJces Sp. 
Cinnyris minima, Sylces, Froc. Zool. Soc. (1832), p. 98. 
Jerdon, Madras Journ. ~Kl.p. 226. 
Xectarinia minima, Jardine, Nat. Zih. Ned. pp. 224, 
265, pi. frontisp. BJytli, J. A. S. Beng. XII. 
p. 978 ; Catal B. Mus. A. S. Beng. p. 226. G. B. 
Gray, Gen. of B. I. p. 98, No. 52. Bonap., C. G. 
Av. p. 409. Zayard, Ann. Nat. Hist. XII. n. s. 
p. 175. 
A. h. S' Dukhun (type). Presented by Col. Sykes. 
c. Dukhun. Presented by F. Day, Esq., 1858. 
