LESSER DOUBLE-COLLARED SUN-BIRD. 3 67 
our present specimen being distinguished by its 
more diminutive size, its more extended locality, 
the collar of blue stretching round upon the sides 
of the breast, by the less extent of crimson, and by 
the paler and purer tint of the belly and vent. This 
bird extends in range from Southern to "Western 
Africa ; the specimens which we now describe were 
sent to us from the vicinity of the Cape by the atten- 
tion of Dr. Smith, while Mr. Swainson has admitted 
it into his History of the Birds of Western Africa, 
published in former Yolumes of “ The Library.” 
We regret that very little has been recorded of its 
habits, and by Vaillant alone it is stated that it 
frequents the vicinity of the Cape, as well as the 
woods in many parts of the interior of the colony ; 
that in the latter it builds in the hollows of trees, 
while in the former, where there is chiefly brush- 
wood, the nest is found in the larger bushes. 
The entire average length of our specimens is 
about four inches six-tenths, which, when compared 
with the dimensions of the next, will show a great 
discrepancy. The head, neck, back, rump, throat, 
and upper part of the breast are of a golden green, 
varying in different lights ; immediately below the 
green of the breast there is a narrow crescent-shaped 
band of rich steel-blue, extending completely round 
and upwards, and terminating on the sides of the 
neck, it is also played on by the light; and suc- 
ceeding this is a band of crimson about double 
the breadth : the remaining under parts are greyish 
or pale brocoli-brown, paler towards the vent and 
