206 THE MALACHITE SUN-BIRD. 
of gamboge-yellow plumes. Bill and legs are black. 
This plumage, together with the lengthened tail- 
feathers, is lost immediately after the season of in- 
cubation, when it becomes nearly of a uniform dull 
oil-green, yellowish on the throat, paler on the under 
parts (and described by Le Yaillant as yellowish, 
which characterises the adult from the young male 
in the first moult) ; the centre feathers of the tail 
coming in of an equal length with the others. The 
female is described to be considerably less in size, 
and to be entirely of an olive-brown colour, the 
outer feathers of the tail being bordered with 
white. 
This species is abundant in the vicinity of the 
Cape of Good Hope, or at least was so in the days 
of Le Yaillant, remaining stationary during the year, 
frequenting the gardens, and there extracting the 
juices from the flowers. It extends also along the 
eastern coast, and the author above quoted states 
that fifty may be found in a day by remaining 
quiet wuthin reach of one of their favourite plants, 
to which they constantly flock. The nest is com- 
posed of slender twigs covered externally with moss. 
The eggs are four or five in number, and are of a 
greenish colour. 
