148 
INTRODUCTION. 
gems among their generally dull plumaged com- 
panions. But according to the theory and prin- 
ciples of representation, which have been of late 
so much, and, we may say, successfully insisted 
on in our various works devoted to Zoology, it 
was to be expected that somo portions of the Old 
World, and more particularly those under the tro- 
pics, would present forms bearing a close alliance in 
their habits, and exhibiting some of the resplendent 
colouring which so conspicuously marked the plu- 
mage of the Humming-birds. And these expec- 
tations, commenced by theory as a general law, 
have been verified in this instance by facts, for the 
continents of Asia and Africa are the strongholds 
of another race of fairy birds which vie with the 
Troehilidce in brilliancy; and though they differ 
in many of the essential parts of their structure, 
they still agree by holding the same place in the 
ornithological economy of the countries they in- 
habit. 
The “ Sun-birds,” deriving their appellation from 
their brightly-tinted dress, appearing in higher splen- 
dour when played on by the sun-beams, may be 
said to he peculiarly restricted to the tropics of Asia 
and Africa ; but when we take the form as a family, 
we shall find it extending far beyond that range, 
and reaching on the one hand to the numerous 
islands in the Pacific Ocean, while in another direc- 
tion a few members occur in South America and 
the adjacent islands, in both instances forming the 
exception in the amount of numbers ; the form 
