C. S. Webb—Notes on a Collecting Trip to N.E. Tanganyika 213


a great height returning from distant feeding places late in the

evening.


Sunbirds are not numerous in these evergreen forests, there

being an insufficient supply of suitable flowers on which to feed.

The commonest species is the Olive Sunbird (Cyanomitra

olivacea changamwensis), a dull green species with yellow pectoral

tufts which is highly insectivorous. An interesting species is the

Violet-backed Sunbird (Anthreptes longuemarei neglectus) which

is rather rare and lives in the canopy of the forest and subsists

mainly on insects and berries. Another tree-top inhabitant is

the Grey-chin Sunbird (Anthreptes tephrolaema rubritorques),

which is very rare, in fact so far only two skins of this race have

been obtained, so I was fortunate in capturing one alive. This

species is also highly insectivorous and is one of the most

charming Sunbirds I ever possessed, being delightfully tame and

very intelligent. The nectar-loving species such as the Scarlet-

chested Sunbird (Chalcomitra senegalensis aequatorialis ), Kirk’s

Amethyst Sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina kirkii) and the

Little Bifasciated Sunbird (Cinnyris bifasciatus microrhynchus)

are to be found in the Bush country which surrounds the mountains.

The Golden-winged Sunbirds frequent the highest parts of the

Western Usambaras at an elevation of about 6,000 feet where

there is no evergreen forest and where their favourite food-plant

the leonotis, is plentiful. The Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris

mediocris usambaricus), a pretty little species with a bright red

breast-band, is also fairly common at this altitude in the scrub

forest.


The smallest and one of the most beautiful Sunbirds in the

mountains is the Little Collared Sunbird (Anthreptes collaris

elachior) with its shiny green upper-parts and head, and bright

yellow under-parts and blue breast-band. They become exceedingly

tame in captivity and soon learn to take small mealworms from

the hand. They are somewhat similar to Zosterops in habits and

have a similar varied diet.


The natives in this region sometimes catch birds with the aid

of bird-lime made locally from the sap of certain trees. Birds



