THE FIERY-TAILED 8 UN-BIRD. 
151 
in the sun’s rays, as if conscious of the fascination which his brilliant costume must exert 
upon the susceptible hearts of the gentler sex. 
The Sun-birds usually make their nests in the hollows of decaying trees, or within the 
centre of thick brushwood. In many cases the nest is concealed with great care ; and in some 
instances is constructed with consummate art. The material of the nest is generally composed 
of very fine fibres, interwoven and lined with the soft cottony down that is found in the seed 
vessels of many plants, and ingeniously set round with various lichens, so as to give it a close 
resemblance to the tree in which it is placed. One species has even been known to make 
a thick spider’s web the foundation of its nest, and to cover it so completely with little bits of 
moss, lichens, paper, cloth, and all kinds of miscellaneous substances, as to destroy its nest- 
like appearance, and make it look like a chance bundle of scraps entangled in the branches. 
When taken young, the Sun-birds are very susceptible to human influence, rapidly 
becoming tame, and learning to fly about the room and take their food from the hand of their 
owners with charming familiarity. 
It has already been mentioned that 
the Sun-bird utters a shrill, sharp 
whistle, while engaged in seeking 
food. This, however, is not their 
only cry, as many of them possess 
considerable musical powers, their 
cry, although feeble, being sweet 
and agreeably undulated. It is 
thought by many observers that 
the Sun-birds, while flitting from 
flower to flower, aid in the work 
which is so efficiently carried out 
by bees and similar insects, and 
help to carry the fructifying pollen 
from one blossom to another. 
Among these birds the Fiery- 
tailed Sun-bird, although not the 
largest, is yet one of the most 
striking and beautiful in form and 
color. 
This most lovely little creature 
is an inhabitant of India, being 
found near the foot of the Hima- 
laya mountains, and most plenti- 
fully near Nepal. In dimensions 
it is extremely small, owing to the 
great difference which exists, even 
. i . . ■ ; i i , p,i FIERY -TALL ED SUN-BIRD . —Nectarinia metallica. 
m adult males, m the length of the 
central feathers of the tkil, the 
disparity often amounting to two inches, so that the length of the bird may be from three to 
five and a half inches. The forehead and the top of the head are brilliant steel-blue, and the 
neck, the back, and the upper tail-coverts are the most beautiful scarlet Vermillion, diversified 
by a broad patch of bright yellow upon the bend of the back. The two long central feathers 
of the tail are also bright vermillion and the side feathers are brown, edged with the same 
brilliant hue. The upper surface of the wings is olive-brown, each feather being brown and edged 
with olive ; the under surface of the wing is grayish white, worked here and there with very pale 
brown. The breast is beautiful gold-yellow, with a wash of crimson in the centre ; and the abdo- 
men, and remainder of the under parts, are rather pale olive-green. The bill is blackish-brown 
Before and after the breeding season the Fiery-tailed Sun-bird assumes a more sober 
