195 
AMETHYST-THROATED SUN-BIRD. 
Nectarinia amethystina, Shaw. 
PLATE XIII. 
This bird differs in several respects from any of 
those we have yet described, and though of appa- 
rently more sombre colouring, it possesses some 
hues of exceeding brilliancy. It is, with one or two 
exceptions, one of the largest species known, being 
in extreme length from five and a half to six inches. 
The whole of the plumage of the adult male, in a 
breeding state, with the exception of the parts 
we shall immediately mention, is of a very deep 
brownish black, feeling and looking like velvet, and 
on the upper parts, when held side-ways to the 
light, having a rich play of purple. The coronal 
patch is dark emerald green ; on the throat and 
fore part of the neck there is an oval patch of rich 
amethystine purple, and on the carpal joint of the 
wing and upper tail-covers the feathers are of the 
same beautiful tint, but more inclining to violet, — 
in all these parts playing and changing with the 
variation of the light. The axillary tufts, as in the 
last, are wanting. In the plumage of the winter or 
rainy season, the male resembles the female ; but, 
unlike the previous birds, retains, it is said, his 
