134 
AMETHYST-THROATED SUNBIRD. 
Cbmyris ameOiyslina, Cuvier. 
Black ; front, shining green ; throat, rump, and spot on the 
wing-covers, amethystine red. 
Certhia amethystina, Auctorum Le Sucrier Velours, LeVnUl. 
Ois. d'Af vi. pi. 294, f. 1 Le Soui-manga a front (lore', 
Vieill. pi. 5, 6. 
It is peculiarly difficult, in a group like the present, 
where the species are nearly all decorated with 
many and changeable colours, to convey, by mere 
words, a correct idea of their respective peculiari- 
ties. In the present instance, however, w'e have 
one of the very few exceptions which the Sunbirds 
present against this remark. It might, with equal 
propriety, he called the Black Cinnyris, for it is 
the only species yet discovered whose plumage is 
chiefly of that colour. It seems to inhabit both 
the western and southern parts of Africa ; for we 
have seen several specimens from Senegal, and Le 
Vaillant mentions having found it, in different 
stages of plumage, in the Anteniquoi country and 
near the river Gamtoos. After the breeding sea- 
