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THE SENEGAL SUN-BIRD. 
Nectarinia Senegalensis, LiNNiEUS. 
PLATE XL 
This species, instead of having the upper parts and 
the breast of a uniform brilliant tint, has only a 
marked coronal and gular patch of rich emerald- 
green ; that on the throat extending upon the cheeks, 
where it exhibits a streak or moustache separated 
by the different structure of the feathers, the chin 
and throat being also more yellow in tint. Space 
between the eye and bill deep black ; the bafk of 
the neck, upper parts, wings and tail, belly and vent, 
are of a soft and deep brownish black, glossed with 
purple, appearing and feeling to the touch like 
velvet. The fore parts of the neck and breast are 
brilliant scarlet-red, appearing in some lights violet- 
blue ; this change is caused by each feather, black 
at the root, having a band of violet-purple, im- 
mediately succeeded by scarlet tips, which in a 
state of rest nearly conceal the blue, or allow it only 
to be partially seen through ; the feathers com- 
posing this part are, to the feel, of a stiffer texture 
than general, and are capable of being erected and 
displayed at pleasure, giving at one time a totally 
