284 
A Simbirds' Aviary. 
Black or Grvaior Amethyst Sunbird (ChiniiriR nmctJnistina-^) . 
Greater Double-collared Sunbird (C. afer). 
Lesser Double-collared Sunbird (C. chalybni.fi). 
II. will possibly be of interest here to g-ive .short 
sketchy descriptions of the above species, omitting the Purple 
and Amethyst -rumpod as being known to all. The Green 
variety of the Purple only differs in having its plumage 
refulgent with metallic green instead of purple. 
Th<- Red Yellow-backed Sunbird is a denizen of the majestic 
Himalayas, and may be described as Blooil-red. with dull brown wings, 
metallic green cap, metallic blue moustachial streaks and a patch of yellow 
on the lower back ; the abdomen is olive . 
TIk Black-breasted Yellow-backed Sunbird also ranges the Him- 
alayas and 1 cannot do belter than quote Mr. Ezra's description ot the 
bird ''In colour he is black, th()u;j;h thi^ back is m;i roon-rer! . Orowii 
" of h<"ad and a narrow stripe down each side of the throat a brilliant 
" metallie violet-blue, with a steel-blue tail and a patch of yellow on 
th^ lower back ." 
The Southern Malachite Sunbird is large compared with the fore- 
going species, having a total length of 9^ inches, of whiidi (he lail 
measures 5 and the bill 1}-. The general colouration is refulgent 
malachite-green, suffused with gold on the head, neck, back and breast, 
and glossed with blue on the abdomen ; pectoral tufts yellow ; I'ye spots, 
greater wing-coverts and flights black. Iris deep brown, bill, legs and 
feet black. Its habitat is South Africa, ranging as far north as (he 
Zambesi and Shire Kiver valleys. 
The Black or Greater Amethyst Sunbird ranges over Cape Col- 
ony, Natal, Zululand, Swaziland and the Transvaal, extending as far 
north as tln' Limpopo Eiver. The gcm^ral colouration i, a ^oft velvety 
black shaded with purple, centre of crown glistening metallic-green ; 
cheeks, throat, lesser vk'ing-coverts and upper tail-coverts metallic vioh^t- 
purple to coppery-red according to light refraction. Iris deep brown: 
bill, leg;; and feet black. Total length 5| inches, of which the tail 
measures just over 2. 
The Greater Double-collared Sunbird is pretty generally dis- 
tributed over Cape Colony, but is somewhat local in its distribution, 
and the same applies to its haunts in T^atal and the Orange Free Slate. 
The general colouration is rich metallic-green, with the greater part of 
the breast scarlet, separated from the green throat by a narrow band 
of glistening blue ; pectoral tufts yellow ; abdomen, flights, and under 
tail-coverts ashy-brown; greater wing-coverts and quills dark brown. 
Iris deep brown; bill, legs, and feet black. Total length 5J inches, 
of which the tail measures 2}-. 
The Lesser Double-collared Sunbird is very similar to the pre- 
ceding species in colouration, but is smaller, and has the scarlet breast- 
band or collar much narrower and of a darker hue. Total length o 
inches, of which the tail measures barely 2. It ranges over Cape Colony, 
