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SPLENDID SUNBIRD. 
sider that our plates belie our descriptions, or that 
the former are inaccurately or carelessly, done, be- 
cause they do not justify the encomiums of the 
latter. 
In regard to the Sunbird now before us, its de- 
scription, setting aside its delineation, is somewhat 
difficult. Its bead and neck may be called either 
purple, blue, violet, or lilac ; for it changes to one 
or other of these tints according to the direction it 
is held in, whether to or from the light, whether 
viewed by the sun, or by a candle ; in either case, 
the plumage is as glossy as polished steel, while 
those parts not illumined by the light become abso- 
lutely black. Such is the appearance of the crown, 
sides of the head, the neck, and the throat, to a 
little beyond the breast, where this colour is crossed 
by several narrow irregular lines of bright scarlet, 
something in the maimer of the Senegal Sunbird, 
but less distinct : the lower half of the body, to the 
vent, is deep uniform black without any gloss : the 
upper plumage, from the intcrscapulars to the tail- 
covers, is of the most brilliant polished blue-green, 
one or other of which colours preponderate accord- 
ing to the light ; but there is no golden or other 
tint intermixed : the same green is upon the lesser 
wing-covers and the under tail-covers. What par- 
ticularly distinguishes this species from all others 
yet known, is the great prolongation of the upper 
tail-covers, which are quite as long as (and entirefy 
conceal) the tail itself, the feathers of which are 
all even and blue-black : the wings, feet, and bill 
