Nectarini­adæ, or Sun-Birds

Introduction

Each spangled back bright sprinkled specks adorn,
Each plume imbibes the rosy-tinctured morn;
Spread on each wing the florid seasons glow, shaded and verged with the celestial bow;
Where colours blend an ever-varying dye,
And wanton in their gay exchanges vie.

In the early Volumes of “The Library,” we have endeavoured to illustrate a family of birds, universally acknowledged to be among the most brilliant in plumage, as well as being most interesting and singular from their diminutive size; these were seen to be peculiar to the New World, and more particularly to the tropical or warmer portions of it, though a few examples of tiny size and bright colouring extended far to the north,¹ appearing there as gems among their generally dull plumaged companions. But according to the theory and principles of representation, which have been of late so much, and, we may say, successfully insisted on in our various works devoted to Zoology, it was to be expected that some portions of the Old World, and more particularly those under the tropics, would present forms bearing a close alliance in their habits, and exhibiting some of the resplendent colouring which so conspicuously marked the plumage of the Humming-birds. And these expectations, commenced by theory as a general law, have been verified in this instance by facts, for the continents of Asia and Africa are the strongholds of another race of fairy birds which vie with the Trochilidæ in brilliancy; and though they differ in many of the essential parts of their structure, they still agree by holding the same place in the ornithological economy of the countries they inhabit.

The “Sun-birds,” deriving their appellation from their brightly-tinted dress, appearing in higher splendour when played on by the sun-beams, may be said to be peculiarly restricted to the tropics of Asia and Africa; but when we take the form as a family, we shall find it extending far beyond that range, and reaching on the one hand to the numerous islands in the Pacific Ocean, while in another direction a few members occur in South America and the adjacent islands, in both instances forming the exception in the amount of numbers; the form in the first being the one peculiarly taken up by the Meliphagidæ or Honey-suckers, in the latter by numerous and abundant species of Humming-birds.

When we commenced to work at the present Volume, we had intended to include the whole groups of the family, giving a general survey of the forms, and illustrating them by figures of the more typical examples only; upon entering on the subject, however, we found that there were ample materials to furnish sixty or seventy interesting illustrations, instead of about thirty, to which in the other case we should have had to restrict the whole; and on this account we have decided to confine it to the typical form alone, or the genus Nectarinia² of Illiger, by which we shall be enabled to give nearly a monograph of the species, with figures of a large proportion of them. The remaining forms may be hereafter again taken up and illustrated; nevertheless, some general observations may be now required.

The Humming-birds, or family of the Trochilidæ, although they want the wide gape and other accessaries around the mouth provisional for capturing insects in flight, in form most closely resemble the fissirostral genera, being deficient in the members particularly adapted for perching, while they possess an extraordinary development of those proper for flight. The want of adaptation, however, in other members, prevents the wings being used to pursue an insect prey, though their great development is as necessary to the manner in which they feed, by hovering above the beautiful blossoms which afford a sustenance, in part, alike to them and to a host of minute insects; and also to perform the lengthened migrations which these species are known to undertake annually. In the Sun-birds, or Nectariniadæ, the family which we have now to examine, we see no such extraordinary development of wing, and their legs and feet, or, in other words, their provisions for perching, are equal to those of the majority of the Incessores, and show at once a marked difference between the structure of the same parts in truly fissirostral birds, where they are always extremely weak, comparatively unfitted for perching or settling on the ground; and where, in fact, they are constructed upon that model which will be least incommodious to the bird in pursuing its prey with rapidity through the air, or in performing very long migrations. The nectariferous juices of flowers have also been considered as the chief food of the Sun-birds, at least during certain seasons of the year; but we find the manner of seeking for these to be very different from the hovering flight of the Humming-birds,³ the Nectariniadæ always perching first, and exhibiting more similarity in passing from blossom to blossom, to the activity of some of our small warblers, rapidly examining the flowers of one plant and immediately passing off to another, uttering, during the while, a shrill and impatient call. Neither do the species perform extensive migrations, at least, where a continued flight has to be maintained. In the Old World the change of station is chiefly from the town and coast districts to the more exalted regions, where it is possible a succession of food may be acquired; or if the range is more extensive, it is performed over tracts, or coast-wise, where resting-places may be found during its continuance. In both groups the bill and the tongue are inserted into the tubes, and withdraw from them the honey and the small insects which are attracted by it. In both the mechanism of the tongue is in different manners adapted for this mode of deriving nourishment, and in both are the members of the family extremely numerous, social in their habits, and probably intended, in their respective countries, as one of the means by which the sexes of many plants are introduced to each other. Thus it is that we see design in every part of the plan of Nature, and even its frailest creatures dressed in a garb of splendour, and, agreeable to all external senses, also made the instruments, in a manner most simple, at the same time essential to their own existence, of carrying on and perfecting one of the most important properties of vegetation.⁴

The Nectariniadæ, or Sun-birds, are placed by Mr. Swainson as the sub-typical family of the Tenuirostres or suctorial and slender-billed birds, of which the True Humming-birds stand as the most developed form. The five genera which the same gentleman has taken to represent the principle modifications of structure (1. Melithreptus, 2. Nectarinia, 3. Anthreptes, 4. Cæreba, 5. Diceim) nearly show also their geographic distribution. The second or typical form is confined nearly to the tropics of the Old World, there holding the same rank in distribution as the more perfect Trochilidæ. The first is confined to the islands of the Pacific Ocean, exhibiting a variety of the form there; while the fourth, extremely limited in species, another family entirely almost occupying its place, is proper to America only, extending a very short way beyond the boundary of the southern continent. The third, which shows only a stronger developed variation of Nectarinia, is chiefly found in continental India, extending in small proportion to Africa; while the fifth is intermediate between the third and fourth, both in form and in locality, the Australian islands being its more peculiar strong-hold. In the colouring of the group we find also a kind of geographic restriction. It is in the two typical genera that we find the most brilliant colours and changing tints, and those patches of playful colour on the throat and head which so particularly mark the Humming-birds. In these the principal colours are various shades of steel-blue, always with metallic lustre, the head and throat often with patches of green, blue, or violet, of a scale-like texture, and giving out fresh tints with every change of position; but a marked difference in the rest of the arrangements is seen in the under parts being often of clear and very decided yellow, orange, or red, or being boldly marked with a broad bar of these colours. In these two genera, also, we see a slight development of the feathers springing from under the wings, which is often so beautifully displayed among the Humming-birds, and which also brings both, in part to resemble another suctorial family,—the Meliphagidæ or Honeysuckers. Here they are confined to small tufts of loose plumes, commonly of a yellow colour, but occasionally of a bright red: we have endeavoured to exhibit this structure in our Plates. It is in these forms also that we perceive the greatest variation in the form of the tail, which is in some long, at the same time having the plumes regularly graduating; in others the two centre plumes only are much elongated, sometimes more than equalling the length of the bird, and in a few instances being slightly spatulate at the tips; but in none of the known species have we an example of a forked tail. In the American portion of the group we have the colours blue and green, varied by black; but almost without lustre or play of colour, and the throat and crown patches in a few just indicated; one or two species also are of unobtrusive tints, and in their entire form remind us of, and in fact run into, the Meliphagidæ and Titmouse warblers. In the Australian and Pacific groups, black and red are the prevailing colours, without lustre; the crown and throat patches marked by a difference in the structure of the feathers, and the general appearance of the birds in many parts allying them to Myzomela. Thus, from a portion of the plumage of the birds only, and without any assistance from the more essential parts of their forms, we could tell with nearly certainty to what division of the world the species belonged. The colours which we have been now alluding to are those adorning the male, and that in the African birds, according to Vaillant, continues only during the breeding season; so soon as the duties of this important period have passed, the same author states that they return or moult into the unobtrusive dress of the winter or rainy season; and as the time of change again approaches, birds may be seen more or less spotted, or in different stages of advancement towards their most splendid state. At the same time also the long caudal plumes are shed or lost, these also being only of temporary duration, as an adornment in the time of pairing and incubation. The colouring of the plumage in winter, together with that of the females and young, are, in the two typical genera, shades of brown or greyish brown, without any metallic lustre, darker on the wings and tail, and having the coronal and gular patches sometimes slightly indicated by a difference in the structure of the feathers. It is from this cause that, as in many other instances, the numbers of species have been much increased and the synonyms much entangled; sufficient attention not having been paid to form and proportion in those states which were most liable to be confounded together.

The plumage, in its texture, is in general rather loose and disconnected, assuming the scaly form on the crown and throat; and it is in the typical forms only that we see the greatest diversity of its structure; it is here also only, that we have the scaly and imbricated distribution, the soft velvety feel (N. amethystina) occurring in the plumage of some of the Paradiseadæ and Promeropidæ, together with the axillary tufts before mentioned, so gorgeously displayed in both the above families, with occasional elongation of the tail-coverts (N. splendida). In some, also, the feathers forming the coloured pectoral bands are very large and full, and we believe that during the height of the season of courtship they can be and are erected at will, and exhibit a brilliant dress of attraction and contrast between the sober colours of the female. In describing his Sucrier-Protée, Le Vaillant states that the Dutch inhabitants denominate these birds by a provincial name which indicates this display, so common that it has given rise to it. It is produced, however, in a different manner from the raising or displaying of the plumes, which in fact are too short to admit of their being exhibited or raised as ruffs or lengthened tail-coverts; but they have the power of changing the position of the feathers by a muscular action, so as to throw their brilliant reflective powers into view of the spectator, or to exhibit parts which were otherwise concealed; and he likens or compares this power to that possessed by some of the African antelopes, which at will suddenly display concealed white portions of the hair, which in that state forma conspicuous pale markings. It is during this season of incubation also, that any variation of notes is principally shown, as among the Humming-birds, the call when in search of food, or when irritated, is sharp, and indicates anxiety or a restless desire to obtain the object; but, unlike them, they possess at times an agreeable note or warble, having considerable melody. Vaillant states this of several species, and in the Voyage of Frecynet, indications of them being sometimes nocturnal occur,

At night they have a lengthened song, the modulations of which are very agreeable.⁵

Latham adds to his description of the Blue-rumped Creeper,—

Said to sing as well as any Nightingale, with a sweeter voice.⁶

The Diceum hirundinaceum sings in

a very animated and long-continued strain, but is uttered so inwardly, that it is almost necessary to stand beneath the tree upon which the bird is perched, before its notes can be heard.⁷

In their habits, so far as we are acquainted with them, they are active and almost restless. The forms of the Old World constantly flit from shrub to shrub, and from flower to flower, in search of food, which, by nearly all our writers, has been described to be the sweet juices found in the bottom of the corolla or in the nectaries, or the sweet sap which several trees naturally give out; at seasons only, when these materials were wanting, repairing to the search of minute insects; in searching thus, they never employ the hovering flight of the Humming-birds, but clamber and suspend themselves by the trunks or branches in the manner most convenient to gain access to the, in many instances, lengthened corolla, and in their general activity now show a close resemblance to the Titmice, or scansorial warblers of America. The form of the bill and lengthened tongue are both adapted for being plunged into the tubes of flowers; but another structure in the bill induces us to believe that they (Nectarinia) are more insectivorous at all times than what has been generally considered. We mean the minutely and regularly dentated margins of the mandibles, so delicate as not to be perceptible without the aid of a magnifier. Now, we never find this structure where some prey is not to be seized and held. Among some of the Humming-birds it is present, even more boldly developed; but these do take insects as food, and when better known, the species which possess the dentation may and will be found to vary very considerably in their manner of feeding.

In these observations, we are borne out by the remarks of a recent traveller and indefatigable observer; Dr. Smith tells us, in his Zoology of Southern Africa,

The birds of the genus Cinnyris have generally been regarded as feeding upon the saccharine juices which exist in flowers; but as far as my experience goes, I should be inclined to consider them as giving a preference to insects. In those I examined, I found the bulk of the contents of the stomach to be insects, though at the same time each contained more or less of a saccharine juice. The acquisition of a certain portion of the latter is not easily to be avoided, considering the manner they insert their bills into flowers, but the consumption of insects of a size such as I have found in their stomachs, must easily be obviated, provided these were not agreeable to their palates, and not actually a description of food which they by choice selected.

We find many of the species also frequenting a particular genus of plants, and even particular species. The Proteæ are in Africa general favourites. Vaillant’s Sucrier Figuer frequents a species of scentless jessamine,⁸ and these will no doubt be the resorts of peculiar groups of insects, affording a favourite food. Some of the Proteæ are remarkable for the quantity of juice afforded by them; from one, provincially called the sugar-tree, the juice is collected from the bottom of the flowers, and is sometimes boiled down to a thick syrup for the purpose of preserving fruits. Vast numbers perch themselves on the edge of the corollas, for the purpose of collecting the sweet juice; and one species, from its song, is often kept in cages, where it is maintained, “with difficulty, on sugar and water.”⁹ This would seem to show that these juices cannot alone afford them support. Sloane represents the American Cæreba cœrulea as feeding on the fruit of the sugar-cane.¹⁰

Among the Sun-birds, which also are constantly plunging their bill into flowers, we have no doubt that dissection will exhibit insects also, and in a greater proportion, according as we find the structure most developed. In most other forms of the family we find the bill much stronger, and the edges either rugged or very irregularly toothed; but in Melithreptus we have that member stronger still, and entirely unbroken on the edges, running smoothly to a sharp tip. This we would also consider in a great measure as insectivorous; and we have several instances among tenuirostral birds, whose curved attenuated bill is a very successful instrument in searching out minute insects. The various Dendrocolapti show a most remarkable curvature, which will be found in some way adapted to secure the peculiar insects which may afford them sustenance. The Hoopoe is an example among our native birds, while the Cornish Chough will furnish another still more striking; for in fact the bill of Melithreptus is almost a model of that of Pyrracorax, both of them entire, finely attenuated, and much curved; and Montague speaks of the aptness and facility with which our native bird could procure minute objects. We do not mean by these remarks to insist that the Sun-birds are not partially meliphagous, because we know the contrary; but we think that their fine colouring, and habitation amidst sweets and beautiful blossoms, have been too much associated with delicacy of food as a cause of the former, and have given, as it were, a poetical licence to their describers.

Vaillant, considering the sweet juices of plants to be the sole food of the Sun-birds, looks at the tongue only as a member for collecting honey. He describes it, exteriorly, of a horny substance, hollowed, and forming a kind of tube, of which the anterior extremity is supplied with many nervous threads, forming the seat of taste, and also serving as a kind of sieve to prevent the grosser matters to pass; while the horns of the hyoid bone, being lengthened, pass over the skull and serve as the same parts in the Woodpecker, to dart out or protrude the tongue for the purpose of reaching support, whether vegetable or animal, which is concealed in the deep tubes or corollas of many gorgeous blossoms. Audebert and Vieillot lean nearly to the same opinion of these birds being in a great measure meliphagous,¹¹ and they give figures and descriptions of several modifications in the structure of the tongue. In some it is long and bifid, being cleft even to the centre of its length, and occasionally these divisions are ciliated upon the sides; in other species the tongue is in the form of a small brush or pencil, as among many of the True Honeysuckers. The more general form of the tongue, in the typical Nectariniadæ which we have examined, is lengthened and slender, with a shortly bifid fringed apex, having the edges for the whole length turned over inwards, artificially forming a double tube, as exhibited in the annexed diagram of a section of the tongue of N. fulginosa, but in another genus which we have introduced into the family (Arachnothera, Temm.), we have the tongue comparatively short and hard.

In their nidification, the Sun-birds also present some difference from the Humming-birds, though we perhaps know less about the nests and the places where their fabric is reared; the exquisite structure and curious small size of those of the latter being objects of request or curiosity, even to many who do not generally take an interest in such productions.—Many of the Sun-birds breed in the clefts and hollows, or worm-eaten trunks of trees, where no nest possessing external interest is found;¹² others place the

nest among thick bushes, and form it of the down of plants, covering it externally with lichens or fine mosses,¹³

Of the nest of an Indian species Dr. Latham thus writes, upon the authority of General Hardwicke,

The nest composed of fine downy materials, mixed with a few dead leaves, in shape nearly globular, about three inches in diameter, and at bottom runs to a point, at least four inches beyond it; the entrance at the top, and on one side, next to the branch to which it is attached, has a kind of hood or cover over the entrance.¹⁴

In most, where we have any notice of them, the eggs are described as of a pale colour, bluish, grey, or reddish, with brown or greenish spots; in the Humming-birds they are generally white. The nest of the N. goalparensis is represented by Professor Koyle as suspended, and having the hole or entrance near the upper part, the materials of which it is constructed being rather coarse. From these descriptions and the next, the character of the nests of the Indian species partakes more of those of the Orthotomi and tailor warblers. Mr. Jerdon writes of the C. Mahrattensis,

I have seen the nest of this pretty little bird close to a house at Jaulnah. It was commenced on a thick spider’s web, by attaching to it various fragments of paper, cloth, straw, grass, and other substances, till it had secured a firm hold of the twigs to which the web adhered, and the nest suspended on this was then completed by adding other fragments of the same materials; the hole is at the one side, near the top, and has a slight projecting roof or awning over it.¹⁵

Descriptions

Among the typical genus of the Nectariniadæ, we have the greatest contrast of species, as well as considerable variety of form; the latter occurring principally in the shape of the tail, which is even, much elongated, and wedge-shaped, or having the two central feathers only narrow and lengthened.

The wings are rather rounded, with the first quill short, and the plumage is extremely brilliant, having generally a coronal and gular patch of metallic lustre, the under surface of the body banded with some bright shades of steel-blue, red, or yellow. The birds now alluded to may be thus characterised:—

To exhibit the distinctions we have alluded to in the above description, and also to represent another very beautiful bird of this form, we give a figure of the “Sucrier à plastron rouge of Le Vaillant,” under the title of

The two following species possess a more sombre colouring; and, as it were, to relieve this, the axillary tufts, which we have hitherto seen to be pale lemon-yellow, are in some instances bright orange-red and scarlet.

The same author also adds a short notice of another species considered new,—

Nectarinia Olivacea

Smith.

The colour of this species above is intermediate between grass-green and olive-green, the head being strongly tinged with blue below it is light yellowish green, with an orange tint on the throat, and on each axilla there is a small tuft of brilliant yellow feathers. Length from the base of the bill to the point of the tail five inches, length of the bill one inch three lines.

Fine-Backed Sun-Bird

Nectarinia rubro-fusca, Shaw.

Specimens identical with the bird we are now about to describe from our own collection occur in the British Museum, the Museum of the Zoological Society, and at Fort Pitt, Chatham, but all without any name attached. We have referred it to the species of Shaw above named, and consequently to the bird figured by Mr. Swainson in the Birds of Western Africa. Its other synonymes will be found in our Synopsis, and we would merely observe, that all the specimens we have examined are very close and similar in their markings and the tints on the plumage.

The length of our specimen is about four inches eight-tenths, and it is a bird of rather slender make. The crown, back, and sides of the neck are of a rich reddish purple, with a bronzed or coppery lustre the middle of the back, the rump, and upper tail coverts, rich auricula-purple with a changing lustre, richest on the coverts, and losing itself upwards in the tint of the head and neck; the chin, throat, and upper parts of the breast are of a shade intermediate between these, the purple prevailing, and all the other parts of the plumage are deep black, tinted with blue on the wings and tail. On the band of each wing there is a patch of rich violet-purple. There are no axillary tufts.

By the attention of Mr. Louis Frazer, we are enabled to add a description of the female, from specimens procured at Cape Coast and Accra, during the progress of the late Niger expedition, and forwarded to us for the use of the present volume. Plumage above, including the wings, dark brownish oil-green, deepest on the latter; beneath, pale wax-yellow, clearest on the centre of the belly; tail nearly black, the outer feathers tipped with grey. Length, three inches four-tenths; of the bill to the forehead, six-tenths.

Mr. Swainsons specimens of his N. erythronotus were received from Senegal, and Vieillot’s N. tricolor, which we consider closely allied, if not identical, was from Malemba.

We have also, among the African forms of even-tailed Sun-birds, species of uncommon brilliancy of colouring; and which, as in the Humming-birds of the New World, possess a coronal and gular patch of resplendent scale-like feathers. Examples of these will be seen in some of our next plates.

As in Africa we have the Nectariniadæ in the greatest profusion, both in numbers and species, so do we find the more varied forms. These are most apparent in the form of the tail, which is square, wedge-shaped, or has the centre feathers only much elongated; the first we have seen in the species we have been describing, and as an example of the second we now give the representation of the

Blue-Rumped Long-Tailed Sun-Bird

Nectarinia metallica, Lichtenstein.

Of this species, closely allied to the last, there are figures of both sexes in the Planche Colorièes, and in the Atlas to Rüppell’s “Peise in Nördlichen Afrika.” In form and general distribution of colouring, this bird nearly resembles the last, but the lower parts of the back upper tail-covers, and tail, are of a bright metallic blue. The dark colour of the throat and fore part of the neck also is bordered with a distinct collar of clear blue, wanting in the species we have previously figured. Cretzschmar, in Rüppelfs Atlas, describes the female as grey (hair brown) on the upper part of the body; the wings, and also the tail dark, with a light border; the two outer feathers having white tips. The whole lower parts of the body pale lemon-yellow, paler on the chin, throat, and under tail-covers.

Nubia and the vicinity of Dongala are the localities given to it by Temminck. Cretzschmar, on the authority of Rüppel, states that it is found in all North-eastern Africa, south of Suckot, nestling in the acacia trees.

We come next to examine the species of India and her islands; they extend generally over the continent, reaching to a very high elevation among the Himalayas, while they are also found on the Malay peninsula and the vast archipelago of the East Indian islands. The forms resolve themselves almost into two,—those having the tail square, and those having that member more or less graduated. Of the first, the birds show a smaller, thickset, and more compact form than the African square-tailed species; they have generally a coronal and gular patch; the under parts are frequently banded with one or more distinct colours, and they possess yellow or orange axillary tufts their distribution; seems to be chiefly, but not exclusively, the plains or Lower Continental India, and the islands. The second, possesses brilliant colouring, often a coronal patch, but instead of that on the throat, we have lines or stripes of resplendent feathers on the sides of the maxilla, and reaching down on the neck, the centre tail-feathers often extend beyond a proportional graduation. These seem to be most frequent in Alpine India, Nipaul, &c.

We have found considerable difficulty in making out these correctly. An idea has been taken up that they are subject to considerable variety, which seems scarcely to be the case, many species being closely allied, yet at the same time, when in adult plumage, pretty constantly and regularly marked.

Nectarinia solaris

Temminck.

Of the same form and distribution of colouring with the last, is the species figured in the Planches Colorièes, pl. 347, fig. 3, under the title of “Souimanga souci, N. Solaris.” It is from Amboina, one of the Molucca islands. From the figure above quoted, the following description is drawn:—The coronal patch covering the whole crown green; the gular patch extending over the throat, sides of the neck, and breast is violet-purple; the upper parts olive, wings and tail brown, the latter (in the description) having the two lateral feathers tipped with white the belly, vent, and flanks, orange-yellow; the axillary tufts paler.

Nectarinia aspasia

Lesson.

Cheeks, sides of the neck, mantle, wings (wings in text “sont brunes”), lower part of the belly and vent, deep velvet-black; coronal patch emerald-green, passing over the occiput to the nape; the wing-covers, lower back, and upper tail-covers, golden green; tail black, feathers edged with blue while the chin, throat, and fore part of the neck is occupied with a patch of deep bluish violet.

Our next plates will represent a series of rich coloured birds, having the tail either much graduated, or with the centre feathers disproportionally exceeding the graduation, as to appear somewhat like the corresponding species in Africa. These appear to be most frequent in Northern and Alpine India, the Himalaya range, Nipaul, &c., and may be represented by the

Dr. Latham’s Sun-Bird

Nectarinia Lathami, Jardine.

We possess a specimen of a Sun-bird from some part of Continental India, closely allied to that we have now represented, and also to the Certhia Siparaja of Sir Stamford Raffles’ catalogue. From the Goalparah Sun-bird it differs in a slight general modification of the tints of the plumage, in the yellow of the rump being much deeper, and in the coronal patch, upper tail-covers, and tail being steel-blue instead of metallic-green, and in the tail being shorter and more regularly graduated. Sir Stamford’s bird is from Sumatra; no mention is made of the yellow rump, while, in the catalogue appended to that gentleman’s Memoirs, N. mysticales, Temm. from Java is quoted. A comparison of the birds may serve to distinguish them. The entire length is four inches four-tenths; that of the bill to the forehead, six-tenths. Above, the forehead to the line of the eyes is steel-blue, with a play of colour; the upper tail-covers and edges of the tailfeathers, except the outer, are of the same tint, and the tail itself, nearly black, has a very strong gloss of bluish purple; the back and sides of the neck, cheeks, back, and lesser wing-covers, are rich brownish red. The lower part of the back and rump are very deep gamboge-yellow, almost Dutch orange, and following the red of the back we have the same lengthened plumes we saw in the last, of a dark greyish oil-green, and which can completely cover the yellow patch; the wings are umber-brown feathers edged with a paler tint and oil-green. Underneath, we have the maxillary stripes running upon the sides of the neck, inside half of the feathers black, the exterior rich violet; the chin, fore part of the neck, and breast, bright scarlet-red the remaining under parts dull greyish oil-green. Bill umber-brown, slightly paler on the maxilla.

As stated, we do not know the locality of the specimen we have described, and in the collection of the Zoological Society there is one similar, and bearing out the distinctions from N. Goalpariensis we have pointed out, but the locality of which is also unknown.

Siparaja Sun-Bird

Nectarinia Siparaja, Raffles.

This is characterised in the descriptive catalogue in the Transactions of the Linnean Society for 1822, and in the subsequent catalogue in the Appendix to Sir Stamford Raffles’ Memoirs, N. mysticalis, Temm. is quoted as a synonim. The discrepancy in the description of the former, and figure of the latter, is, in the first, “abdomen brown” in the figure, these parts are pure white. From our last species, the Rafflesian bird differs in having no yellow on the rump, and Temminck’s figure varies both in the want of that and in the white under parts. The N. Siparaja is from Java and Sumatra, and it is probable may be distinct from the continental birds the union of the other two will rest on the authority of the catalogue in the Memoirs.

This species has a blue patch on the forehead, and a stripe of the same colour on each side of the neck. The back of the head, neck, and upper parts of the back, are dark red; the breast of a lighter red; the abdomen, wings and middle tail-feathers brown, while the tail-covers and outer tail-feathers are blue.²⁰

Temminck’s figure is represented with the whole tad blue, and the belly and vent pure white.

Mrs. Gould’s Sun-Bird

Nectarinia Gouldiæ, Vigors.

Belonging to the same group, in form and colouring, is the beautiful species which will now stand as the Ornithologist’s record of an accomplished artist. The N. Gouldiæ was dedicated to Mrs. Gould by the friend of her husband, at a time when she had shown how much could be effected by the union of taste and skill with a fine mechanical invention, and had produced a series of ornithological figures which could vie with the best that had preceded them, and were excelled only by those which appeared in her later works.

The top of the head, ear-coverts, throat, a spot on each side of the chest near the shoulder, tail-coverts, and two middle tail-feathers, are of a rich metallic-blue with brilliant purple reflections; the back and sides of the neck and shoulders are deep sanguineous red; the rump and under surface bright yellow, the latter having a few sanguineous dashes the quills and outer tail-feathers dark brown.

The above is the description given by Mr. Gould of this beautiful species, from a specimen at the time considered unique. On examining that specimen in the collection of the Zoological Society of London, we noticed that the coronal patch extends backwards to the hind head in a pointed form; the upper parts described as sanguineous are rather of a deep chestnut-red having caiTuine mixed with it; the quills and coverts deep oil-green; the tail is nearly black, except the centre feathers, which are elongated, and of the same steel-blue on the edges as that seen on the tail-coverts.

Synopsis

Genus Nectarinia, Illiger

Nectarinia, Illiger, 1811 < Certhia, Linnæus = Mellisuga Vieillot, 1816 = Cinnyris, Cuvier, 1817.²²

Gen. Characters.—Bill slender, curved, very fine and acute at the tip, dilated at the base, edges of the maxilla folding over the mandible, mandible narrow in depth at the base, edges of both minutely and regularly denticulated; tongue lengthened, slender, with a shortly bifid fringed apex, the edges for the whole length turned over inwards, forming a double tube; wings, with the third quill longest, first short, nearly spurious; tail even, lengthened and much graduated, or with the two centre feathers only elongated; tarsi and feet fully developed, the hallux lengthened and with its claw proportionally strong. Types, N.famosa, chalybea, amethystina, lotenia.

Note. India and Africa, principally within the tropics. Colours of the plumage brilliant; often with metallic lustre.

Species Which have been Examined

N. afra, Linnæus, 1766.

Certhia afra, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 186, 1766;²³ Gm. Linn, i. p. 476 (syn. exc.); Lath. Ind. Orn. i. p. 286 (syn. exc.); Shaw, Gen. Zool. viii. p. 192 (syn. exc.).—Cinnyris smaragdinus, Vieill. Enc. Method. Orn. p. 595 1823.—Sucricr à plastron rouge, Le Vaill. Ois. d’Afr. vi. p. 176, pl. 300, M. & F.—Blue-rumped Creeper, Lath. Gen. Hist. iv, p. 239 (syn. exc).

Above, head, back, rump, less, w.-covers, deep golden-green with a bronzed lustre; up. t,-covers steel-blue, wings umber-brown, tail black.—Below, chin black; throat, fore part of the neck, and upper breast, golden-green, the latter at the lower edge shaded into violet and steel-blue, forming a pectoral band not passing the line of the wings; lower breast and ant. half of the belly deep scarlet-red; post, half of belly, vent, flanks, and und. t.-covers, yellowish wood-brown; axillary tufts pale king’s-yellow; bill, tarsi, and feet, black.—Length 5\(\frac{1}{2}\) in. to Sin. 4-10ths; bill to forehead, 1 in.; w. to longest quill, 2 in. 7-10ths.

Above, hair-brown, darker on the wings and tail,—outer web of the outer feather of the latter, white.—Below, wax-yellow (feathers pale hair-brown at the base), shading into yellowish-white on the vent and und. t.-covers; bill, tarsi, and feet, dark umber-brown; proportions equal to .

Hab. S. Africa. The forests of the E. coast to Caffraria on the Gamtoo and Sondag rivers. Does not reach the S. extremity of the continent, but is restricted to the line of the great forests. Le Vaill.—Note. In the descript, m the Syst. Nat, it is “abdomine albo.”

N. chalybea, Linnæus, 1766.

Certhia chalybea, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 186 (syn. exc.); Gm. Linn. i. p. 475 (syn. exc.); Lath. Ind. Orn. i. p. 284 (syn. exc.).—Certhia torquata C. B. Spei. Le grimpereau a collier du C. de B. Esperance, Briss. Ornithol. 4to. iii. p. 643, pl. xxxii. fig. 1; 8vo. ii. p. 13 (syn. of last exc.).—Grimpereau du C. de B. Experance, Buff. Pl. Enl. 246, fig. 3.—Cinnrys chalybea, Sw. Zool. Illust. pl. 95.—Collared Creeper, Lath. Gen. Hist. iv. p. 247 (syn. exc.).—Chalybean Creeper, Shaw and Nodd., Nat. Miscel. x. pl. 381.—Red-collared Sun-bird, Sw. B. of W. Afr. ii. (The last may be found to belong to the next.)

Above, head, neck, back, less, w.-covers, and rump, golden-green; up. t.-covers violet steel-blue; wings umber-brown; tail blackish brown, outer feather hair-brown edged with greyish white, Below, chin, throat, and breast, golden-green, terminated by a narrow band of steel-blue, running beyond the line of the wings upon the sides of the neck; lower breast and ant. half of the belly scarlet-red; post, half of the belly, vent, flanks, and und. t.-covers, pale brocoli-brown; bill, tarsi, and fee, black. Length, from 4\(\frac{1}{2}\) in. to 4 in. 8-10ths; if bill to forehead, 7 to 8-10ths; of wing to long. quill, 2 in. 2-10ths to 2 in. 3-10ths.

Above, entirely brocoli-brown, darker on the wings and tail.—Below, much paler, on the vent and unt. t.-covers nearly yellowish white; bill, tarsi, and feet, dark umber-brown.—Length, 4\(\frac{1}{2}\) in.

Hab. S. Africa to the extremity of the Cape peninsula, Le Vaill. Western Africa, Sw.—Note. Differs from N. afra in its smaller proportions, different tint of the lower parts, blue collar stretching on the sides of the neck, and different colour of the female.

N. chloropygia, Jardine, 1842.

N. chloropygia, Jard. Ann. of Nat. Hist. vol. x. p. 188; Illust. of Orn. N. S. pl. l., 1842.—Green-rumped Double-collared Sun-bird, Nat. Lib. Nect. p. 172, pl. iii.

Above, rich emerald bronzed green; w. and t. brownish black, former with the edges of the feathers oil-green, latter glossed with green.—Below, chin velvet-black; throat, neck, and breast emerald-green, terminated by a narrow band of bluish green; lower breast with a band of scarlet-red; belly, blanks, and under t.-covers, pale oil-green; axillary tufts ample, king’s-yellow; bill, tarsi, and feet, black.—Length, 4 in. 4-10ths; bill to forehead, 7-10ths; w. to longest quill, 1 in 9-10ths.

Above, oil-green; w. and t. umber-brown.—Below, chin yellowish-white; breast and flanks wine-yellow, shading to pale but pure gamboge-yellow in the middle of the belly; bill, tarsi, and feet, dark umber-brown.—Length, 3 in. 8-10ths; w. to longest quill, 1 in. 8-10ths.

Hab. Fernando Po, Niger Expecd., L. Fraser.²⁴—Note. Differs from N. chalybea in lesser size, want of blue on the up. t.-covers, and blue pectoral collar; tint of under parts; in difference of female.

N. bifisciata, Shaw, 1811.

Souimanga vert et brun, Vieill. Ois. Dor. ii. pl. 24.—Cinnyris nitens, Vieill. Enc. Method. Ornith. ii. p. 588, 1823.—Certhia bifasciata, Shaw, Gen. Zool. viii. p. 198, 1811.—Violet-breasted Creeper, Lath. Gen. Hist. iv. p. 248.

Above, head, neck, back, less. w.-covers, rich bronzed green, on the rump and t.-covers, shading to emerald-green (feathers black at the base); w. and t. black glossed with green, feathers of the latte purple on the edges.—Below, chin, throat and fore part of the neck, brilliant bronzed green, shading into a pectoral band of rich steel-blue, succeeded by a second distinct band, changing from dull red to vermillion; belly, vent, and und. t.-covers black, on the latter and at the termination of the second pect. band tipped with steel-blue; bill, tarsi, and feet, black.—Length, 5 in. 3-10ths; bill to forehead, 9-10ths; w. to long. quill, 2 in. 8-10ths.

Hab. Interior of S. Africa, Smith. Malemba, Vieill.—Note. First quill short, compared with other sp. of similar size.

N. splendida, Shaw, 1811.

Certhia splendida, Shaw, Gen. Zool. viii. p. 191, 1811.—Cinnyris splendida, Cuv. Reg. Anim. i. p. 434, 1817; Swain. West. Africa, ii. p. 125.—Cinnyris splendidus, Vieill. Enc. Method. ii. p. 587, 1823.—Cinnyris bombycinus, Vieill. Enc. Method. ii. p. 596, 1823.—Le Sucrier eblouissant, Le Vaill. Ois. d’Af. vi. pl. 295, fig. 1, p. 163. Le Souimanga à Plumes Soyeuses, Vieill. Ois. Dor. ii. pl. 82.—Blue-rumped Creeper, var. C., Lath. Gen. Hist. iv. p. 240 239.

Above, head steel-blue, in some lights appearing black, in others as rich as violet; back of the neck, back, up. t.-covers shoulders, and less. w.-covers, brilliant golden-green feathers black at the base; w. and t. black, feathers of the latter edged with golden green.—Below, throat and fore part of the neck steel-blue (changing as upon the head); across the breast as a band of scarlet, according to position appearing as if banded with steel-blue, golden-green, or violet, or to be composed entirely of one of these tints; lower breast, belly, and flanks, deep black; under t.-covers steel-blue; axillary tufts primrose-yellow; bill, tarsi, and feet, black.—Length, 5\(\frac{1}{2}\) in.; of bill to forehead 9-10ths; of w. to long quill, in 3 in. 8-10ths.

Hab. Great Namaqua country, towards Fish river, Le Vaill. Sierra Leone, coll. from Dr. Fergusson. Cape Coast, Niger Exped. L. Fraser.—Note. Plumage with the webs of the feathers loose and unconnected; up. t.-covers nearly as long as the tail.

N. collaris, Vieillot (Enc. Method.), 1823.

Cinnyris collaris, Vieill. Enc. Method. ii. p. 590, 1823; Dict. Classique d’Hist. Nat. xv. p. 510 511, 1829.—Le Sucrier Gamtocin, ou à cordon blue, Le Vaill. Ois. d’Af. pl. 299, M. and F.

Above, bright yellowish green; w. umber-brown, feathers broadly edged with yellowish green, quills with oil-green; t. greenish black, broadly edged with deep green.—Below, chin, throat, and up. breast, yellowish green, shading into and terminating in a narrow band of blue glossed with violet; lower breast and flanks wax-yellow, shaded to gamboge-yellow on the centre, vent, and und. t.-covers; axillary tufts pale king’s-yellow; bill, legs, and feet, black.—Length, in 4 in. 2-10ths to 3 in. 8-10ths; bill to forehead 4\(\frac{1}{2}\)-10ths.; of w. to long. quill, 2 in. to 1 in. 8-10ths.

Above, nearly as in ; cheeks and sides of the neck, dull yellowish green.—Below, chin yellowish white; breast and flanks wax-yellow, shading into dull gamboge-yellow in the centre of the belly, the vent, and und. t.-covers; bill, tarsi, and feet, brownish black. Length, 3 in. 8-10ths.

Hab. Gamtoos, Le Vaill. S. Africa, coll. Dr. Smith. Fernando Po, Niger Exped. L. Fraser.

N. venusta, Shaw and Nodder 1790.

Certhia venusta, Leona Creeper, Shaw and Nodd. Nat. Hist. Misc. x. pl. 369. Leona Creeper, Lath. Gen. Hist. iv. p. 234.—Cinn. venusta, Vieill. Enc. Method. ii. p. 597 (spec. char. only).—Cinn. pusilla, Swain. Birds of West. Afr. ii. p. 138, 1837.

Above, forehead violet; hack and sides of the neck, less, w.-covers, back, and rump, bronzed green; up. t.-covers steel-blue; w. clove-brown, edged with oil-green; tail black, feathers edged with green.—Below, chin black; fore part of the neck green, terminating in a distinct band of violet, succeeded on the sides by dull black, losing itself in the centre of the violet band, and forming an angular patch on teach side of the breast; lower breast, belly, and vent, pale king’s-yellow, paler on the und. t.-covers; axillary tufts orange-yellow; bill, tarsi, and feet, black.—Length, 3 in. 3-10ths to 3\(\frac{1}{2}\) in.; bill to forehead, 6-10ths; w. to long. quill, 2 in. 1-10th.

Hab. Western Africa, Swain. Sierra Leone, Shaw & Nodd.—Note. Differs from the last in the general tint, frontal and pectoral violet bands, orange axillary tufts.

N. fusca, Vieillot, 1823.

Cinnyris fuscus, Vieill. Enc. Method. ii. p. 594, 1823.—Sucrier Namaquois, ou à caleçons blanc, Le Vaill. Ois. d’Af. pl. 296, M. & F.

Above, base of the plumage purplish brown, tips of the feathers purple with greenish reflections; w. dark clove-brown; up. t.-covers black, with steel-blue reflections; t. black.—Below, chin dull black, fore part of the neck and breast purplish brown with purple and green reflections, shading into blackish brown on the sides and upper part of the belly, again running into white on the vent, flanks, and und. t.-covers; axillary tufts orange-red; bill, tarsi, and feet, dark brownish black.—Length, 4\(\frac{1}{4}\)in. to 4 in. 8-10ths; of bill to forehead, 8-10ths; of w. to lower quill, 2 in. 3-10ths.

Hab. Great Namaqua, Le Vaill. Mouth of the Orange River, Dr. Smith, MSS.

N. Verroxii, Smith, 1831.

Cinnyris Verroxii, Smith, South African Quart. Journ. No. V. p. 13; Illust. of the Zool of S. Afr., No. XI Aves. pl. 57, M. and F.

Above, head, neck, less. w.-covers, and back, dark bluish olive with metallic lustre (interpreted by the dark base of the feathers appearing); lower part of the back, rump, up. t.-covers, w. and t., clove-brown, darkest on the t. and with a slight purple reflection.—Below, pale hair-brown tinted with yellow, on the sides and flanks shaded to brocoli-brown; axillary tufts scarlet-red; bill, tarsi, and feet, blackish brown.—Length, 5 in. 6-10ths; of bill to forehead, 9\(\frac{1}{2}\)-10ths; of w. to long. quill, 4 in. 6-10ths.

Above, uniform brocoli-brown, darker on the w. and t.—Below, pale brocoli-brown, tinted with greenish-yellow, on the flanks and vent yellowish grey; bill, tarsi, and feet, umber-brown.—Length, 5 in. 1 or 2-10ths.

Hab. Kafir Land and eastward, towards Port Natal, Dr. Smith.

N. obscrurus, Jardine, 1842.

Above, yellowish olive, darker on the crown, and having a more yellow tint on the lower back and rump; w. and t. umber-brown, feathers edged with yellow oil-green; t. underneath appearing dark, the outer feathers tipped with greenish grey.—Below, whole under the surface wine-yellow; axillary tufts gamboge-yellow; bill, tarsi, and legs umber-brown,—first with the base of the mandible pale.—Length, 5 in. 2-10ths; of bill to forehead, 9-10ths; of w. to long. quill, 2 in. 7-10ths.

Above, similar to .—Below, greyish wine-yellow; bill, tarsi, and feet, pale umber-brown.—Length, 4 in. 9-10ths; of bill to forehead, 8-10ths; of long. quill, 2 in. 3-10ths.

Hab. Fernando Po, Niger Exped. L. Fraser.

N. olivaceus, Dr. Smith, 183—.

Cinnyris olivaceus, Smith, Illust. of the Zool. of S. Afr. in Descrip. of C. verroxii.

Above, dark olive, on the crown nearly bluish black; w. and t. dark umber-brown, feathers edged with yellowish olive, t. with the out. feathers tipped with grey.—Below, oil-green, paler on the vent and und. t.-covers, on the throat tinted with yellow; axillary tufts pale saffron-yellow; bill, tarsi, and feet, umber-brown.—Length, 6 in.; of bill to forehead, 1 in.; of w. too long. quill, 2 in. 6-10ths.

Hab. Vicinity of Port Natal, Dr. Smith, MSS.—Note, differs from the last in larger size, darker colour above, difference of the tint below.

N. cuprea, Shaw, 1811.

Certhia cuprea, Shaw, Zool. viii. p. 201, 1811.—Souimanga tricolor, Vieill. Ois. Dor. pl. 23.—Cinnyris tricolor, Vieill. Enc. Method. Orn. p. 588.—Cinn. erythronotus, Swain, West. Af. ii. pl. 15, 1837.—Certhia rubrofusca, Shaw, Zool. viii. p. 222, 1811? 1812.—Le Souimanga rougedore, Vieill. Ois. Dor. pl. xxvii.?—Cinnyris nibarus, Vieill. Enc. Method. Orn. p. 597, 1823?

Above, crown cheeks, back, and sides of the neck, reddish purple with a bronzed and coppery lustre; lower back, rump, and up. t.-covers, auricula-purple; w. and t. black, tinted with blue; less. w.-covers violet-purple.—Below, chin, fore part of the neck, and breast, reddish purple, the latter prevailing; lower breast, belly, vent, and t.-covers, deep black; bill, tarsi, and feet, black.—Length, 4 in. 8-10ths; of bill to forehead, 7-10ths; of w. to long. quill, 2 in. 8-10ths.

Above, plumage, including the w., dark brownish oil-green, darkest on the latter; t. nearly black, outer feathers tipped with grey.—Below, pale wax-yellow, clearest and more yellow in the centre of the belly.—Length, 4 in. 3-10ths; bill to forehead, 6-10ths.

Hab. Cape Coast, Accra, Niger Exped. L. Fraser. Malemba, as N. tricolor, Vieill. Senegal, as N. erythronotus, Swain.

N. cyanocephala, Shaw, 1811.

Certhia cyanocephala. Shaw, Zool. viii. p. 203, 1811.—Souimanga à tête blue, N. cyanocephalus, Vieill. Ois. d’Or. ii. pl. 7; Enc. Method. Orn. p. 587.—Cinnyris chloronotus, Swain, West. Afr. ii. pl. 16.—Souimanga vert et gris, Vieill. Ois. Dor. ii. pl. xxv. Female.

Above, crown, nape, cheeks, and sides of the neck, dark bluish green with metallic lustre, base of the feathers black; back, rump, up. t.-covers, and less. w.-covers, clear yellowish oil-green without lustre; w. and t. pale umber-brown, feathers edged with yellowish-oil-green. Below, chin, fore part of the neck, and breast, dark bluish green with steel-blue reflections; belly, flanks, vent, and und. t.-covers, uniform brocoli-brown; axillary tufts primrose-yellow; bill, tarsi, and feet, black.—Length 5 in. 3-10ths. to 5\(\frac{1}{2}\); of bill to forehead, 9-10ths; of wing to long. quill, 2 in. 6-10ths.

Above, as in .—Below, uniform greyish white, paler on the vent, and there tinted with yellowish oil-green; length, 5 in. 5-10ths; of bill to forehead, 8-10ths; of w. to long. quill, 2 in. 4-10ths.

Hab. Malemba, Vieill. Sierra Leone Dr. Fergusson.

N. Senegalensis, Linnæus, 1766.

Certhia Senegalensis, Linn. Syst. Nat. edit. xii. p. 186, 1766; Lath. Ind. Orn. i. 284, 1790.—Grimpereau violet du Senegal, Certhia Senegalensis violacea, Briss. Ornithol. 4to. p. 660, pl. xxxiv. fig. 2; 8vo. vol. ii. p. 18, 1763.—Cinnyris discolor, Vieill. Enc. Method. Orn. p. 589, 1823.—Le Sucrier protée, Le Vaill. iv vi. pl. 295, fig. 2.—Le Souimanga violet à portrine rouge, Vieill. Ois. Dor. pl. viii.—Cinnyris Senegalensis, Swain, West. Af. ii. p. 127, 1837.

Above, coronal patch above the eyes, as far as the occiput, rich emerald-green; lores black; remaining plumage deep brownish black, glossed with purple, paler on the wings, feeling to the touch like velvet.—Below, maxillary stripe broad, emerald-green, chin and throat golden-green; fore part of the neck and breast scarlet-red, varying to violet-blue, each feather being tipped with the former, succeeded by a band of the latter; belly, vent, and und. t.-covers, deep brownish black; bill, tarsi, and feet black.—Length 5 in. 4-10ths to 5; of bill to forehead, 8-10ths; of w. to long. quill, 2 in. 6-10ths.

Hab. Caffraria, Le Vaill. Senegal, Swain.

N. Natalensis, Jardine, 1842.

Above, coronal patch, confined to the crown, bluish green; bend of the w. violet; remaining plumage deep brownish black, paler on the w. and t., feeling to the touch like velvet.—Below, maxillary stripe narrow, bluish-green, chin and throat golden-green; fore part of the neck and breast scarlet-red, intermixed with violet, each feather being broadly tipped with the former, succeeded by a band of the latter; belly, vent, and und. t.-covers, deep brownish black; bill tarsi, an feet, black.—Length, 5 in. 9-10ths; bill to forehead, 2 in. \(\frac{1}{2}\)-10th; w. to long. quill, 3 in. 1-10th.

Hab. Vicinity of Port Natal.

N. amethystina, Shaw, 1811.

Certhia amethystina, Shaw, Zool. viii. p. 195, 1811.—Cinnyris amethystina, Cuv. Reg. Anim. 1816.—Cinnyris auratifrons, Vieill. Enc. Method. Orn. p. 590, 1823.—Le Sucrier velour, Le Vaill. Ois. d’Af. vi. pl. 294.—Le Souimanga à front d’oré, Vieill. Ois. Dor. pls. v. vi.

Above, coronal patch confined to the crown, dark emerald-green; bend of the w. and up. t.-covers, amethystine-purple; remaining plumage very deep brownish black, with a play of purple, feeling to the touch like velvet.—Below, gular patch on the chin, throat, and fore part of the neck, amethystine-purple; breast, belly, vent, and und. t.-covers, brownish black; bill, tarsi, and feet, black.—Length, 5 in to 3-10ths to 5-in to 9-10ths; of bill to forehead, 1 in. 1-10th to 1 in. 2-10ths; of w. to long. quill, 2 in. 8-10ths to 3 in.

N. fuliginosa, Shaw, 1811.

Certhia fuliginosa, Shaw, Zool. viii. p. 223 222, 1811.—Cinnyris fuliginosus, Vieill Enc. Method. Orn. p. 584, 1823.—Souimanga carmélite, Vieill. Ois. d’Or. pl. xx.—Souimanga carmélite cinnyris fuliginosus, Drapiez. Dict. Class. d’Hist. Nat. xv. p. 510.—Carmelite Creeper, Lath. Gen. Hist. iv. p. 256.

Above, uniform pale yellowish umber-brown; w. and t. dark umber-brown, with slight purplish reflections; forehead with an imbricated patch extending to the line of the eyes; less w.-covers and radial edge of the w., auricula-purple; axillary tufts bright primrose-yellow.—Below, yellowish umber-brown; chin, throat, and fore part of the neck, auricula-purple.—Length, 5 in.; of bill to forehead, 7-10ths; w. long. quill, 2\(\frac{1}{2}\) in.

Hab. Malemba, western coast of Africa, Vieill.

N. stangeri, Jardine, 1842.

N. Stangeri, Jard. Ann. of Nat. Hist. x. p. 187, 1842.—N. Stangeri, Niger Carmelite Sun-bird, Nat. Lib. Nect. p. 198; Jard. and Selby, Illust. of Orn. N.S. pl. xlviii.

Above, uniform deep yellowish umber-brown, darker on the w. and t., showing yellowish lights; coronal patch, reaching to the line of the eyes, imbricated, deep green, posterior row of feathers violet.—Below, dark umber-brown, with purple lights; chin velvet-black; gular patch yellowish green, bordered by a maxillary stripe of deep green, extends to the upper part of the breast and has the last row of feathers deep steel-blue tipped with scarlet, appearing like a terminating scarlet thread; bill, tarsi, and feet, black.—Length, 5 in.; bill to forehead, 7\(\frac{1}{2}\)-10ths; wing to long. quill, 2 in. 6-10ths.

Hab. Niger.—Note. Only specimen in possession of Mr. Waterhouse, procured by Dr. Stanger. Differs from preceeding in color of coronal and gular patches; no colour on lesser w.-covers; want of axillary tufts.

N. Adelberti, Gervais, 1834.

Cinnyris Eboensis, Thompson, MSS., M. 141, F. 140.—Souimanga d’Adelbert, Cinnyris Adelberti, Gervais, Mag. de Zool. iii. pl. 2 19.—Nectarinia Adelberti, Nat. Lib. vol. xxxvi. pl. iii. p. 244; Jard. and Selby, Illust. of Orn., N. S., pl. 49, M. and F.

Above, uniform yellowish umber-brown, slightly darker on the w. and t.; coronal patch passing the line of the eyes, imbricated, deep green.—Below, chin velvet-black, bordered by a maxillary stripe of deep green; forepart of the neck and upper breast straw-yellow, bordered on the lower edge by dark umber-brown; lower breast, belly, and sides, pale chestnut-brown; und. t.-covers dark umber-brown; bill, tarsi, and feet, black.—Length, 4 in. 8-10ths; bill to forehead, 7-10ths; w. to long. quill, 2 in. 4-10ths.

Above, dark hair-brown, on the quills and t. nearly umber-brown.—Underneath, pale yellowish grey, clearest in the middle of the belly; the feathers darker along the centre of each; bill, legs, and tarsi, dark umber brown.—Length, 4 in. 6-10ths.

Hab. Senegal, Gervais. Eboe on the Niger, Thompson.

N. violacea, Linnæus, 1766.

Certhis longicauda minor C. B. Spei. Briss. Ornithol. iii. p. 649, pl. xxxiii. fig. 6; 8vo. ii. p. 15, 1763.—Certhia violacea, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 188, 1766; Linn. Mantissa, p. 525, 1771; Lath. Ind. Orn. i. p. 288, 1790.—Le Souimanga à capuchon violet, “C. violaceus,” Vieill. Enc. Method. p. 598.—Le Sucrier oranga, Le Vaill. vi. p. 152, pl. 292.

Above, crown back and sides of the neck, upper part of the back, and bend of the w., dark golden-green, varied with bronze and purple; back, rump, up. t.-covers, edges of the feathers of the w. and t., yellowish green; w. and t. pale umber-brown.—Below, chin and throat dark golden-green; centre of the breast, and nearly bordering the green of the sides as a narrow crescent, violet purple; lower part and centre of the breast and belly, deep reddish orange, shading into gamboge-yellow on the flanks and und. t.-covers; axillary tufts pale king’s-yellow; bill, tarsi, and feet, black.—Length, 6 in.; of bill to forehead, 9-10ths; of w. to long. quill, 2 in. 2-10thsl

Hab. Vicinity of Cape of Good Hope, Le Vaill.—Note. Center t.-feathers exceed the others by 9-10ths or 1 in.; t. graduated.

N. famosa, Linnæus, 1766.

Certhia famosa, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 187, 1766.—Certhia longicauda, C. B. Spei. Briss. Ornithol. 4to. iii. p. 647, pl. xxxiv. fig. 1; 8vo. ii. p. 14.—Souimanga Malachite, C. famosus, Vieill. Enc. Method. p. 592.—Le Sucrier Malachite, Le Vaill. Ois. d’Afr. pl. 143, pls. 289, 299 290.—Le grande Souimanga a longue queue, Vieill, Ois. Dor. pls. xxxvii., xxxviii.—Famous Creeper, Lath. Gen. Hist. iv. p. 214.—Shining Creeper, C. famosa, Shaw, Gen. Zool. viii. p. 212, pl. 31.—Grimpereau a longue queue du C. de B. experance, Buff. Pl. Enl. 83, fig. 1.

Above, including less w.-covers and scapulars, malachite-green, on the head and neck with a play of green and reddish bronze; w. black, on the secondaries tinted with violet; t. square, centre feathers much elongated, black, the latter at their base edged with malachite-green.—Below, chin in some lights appearing black; throat and neck generally of a golden bronzed green; breast, belly, and vent, malachite green, on the latter and und. t.-covers intermixed with the black; axillary tufts gamboge-yellow; bill, tarsi, and feet, black.—Length, 9 in. to 9\(\frac{1}{2}\) in.; of bill to forehead, 1 in. 3-10ths; of w. to long. quill, 3 in. 2-10ths; long. t.-feathers exceed the square t. from 2\(\frac{1}{2}\) in. to 3 in. 1-10th.

Hab. S. Africa, vicinity of the C. of G. Hope, Le Vaill. &c.

N. pulchella, Linnæus, 1766.

Certhia pulchella, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 187, 1766; Gm. Linn. p. 481.—Certhia longicauda Senegalensis, Briss. Ornithol. 4to. iii. p. 645, pl. xxxiv. fig. 3; 8vo. ii. p. 14. Le Sucrier cossu, Le Vaill. Ois. d’Afr. vi. p. 154, pl. 293, fig. 1.—Cinnyris caudatus, Vieill. Enc. Method. p. 595, 1823.—Grimpereau a longue queue du Sénégal, Buff, Pl. Enl. 670; auct. Le Vaill.—Beautiful Creeper, Lath. Gen. Hist. iv. p. 217.—Le petit Souimanga a longue queue, Vieill. Ois. Dor. pl. 40; Swain. Birds of W. Africa.

Above, including less. w.-covers and edges of the w. to base of 1st quill, golden-green; w. brownish black; tail, square centre-feathers only elongated, black,—the latter at their base edged with green.—Below, throat, fore part of neck, and upper breast, intense emerald-green; lower breast with a collar of yellowish carmine-red, shading upon the belly into gamboge-yellow, and running to a point along the centre; sides of the belly golden-green; flanks, vent, and und. t.-covers, black,—the latter tipped with bluish-green; bill, tarsi, and feet, black. Length, 6 in. 2-10ths; to bill to forehead, 6-10ths; of long. quill, 2 in. 3-10ths; long. t.-feathers exceed the square tail 2-10ths.

Hab. S. Africa, but not within the Great River in the Kafir country. Senegal, Le Vaille. Sw. Sierra Leone, Dr. W. Fergusson.

N. platura, Vieillot, 1823.

Le Souimanga figuier, Cin. platurus, Vieill. Enc. Meth. Orn. p. 589, 1823.—Le Sucrier figuier, Le Vaill. Ois. d’Afr. vi. p. 157, pl. 293.—The Saccharine Creeper, Lath. Gen. Hist. iv. p. 225.—Nect. sylviella, Temm. Pl. Col. Note to pl. 347, and Ind.

Above, head, neck, back, scapulars, and w.-covers green with bronze and purple lustre; rump and t.-covers, violet-purple; w. brownish black; tail square, centre feathers only elongated, black,—the latter broadly edged with violet-purple, at the tips slightly spatulate.—Below, throat, fore part of neck and upper breast, duck-green; lower breast, belly, vent, and und. t.-covers, saffron-yellow; bill, tarsi, and feet, black.—Length, 6\(\frac{1}{2}\) in.; of bill to forehead, 4-10ths; of w. to long. quill, 2 in. 2 or 3-10ths; long. feathers exceed the square tail 2 in. 6 or 7-10ths.

Hab. Forests of the Great Namaquois, Le Vaill. Sierra Leone, Dr. W. Fergusson.—Note. Specimens vary in the proportion of the purple reflection on the upper plumage, an in the depth of the yellow below. Those from W. Africa show greatest degree of purple and deeper yellow.

N. metallica, Lichtenstein, 18—.

Nectarinia metallica, Schilleruder Honigsauger, Cretz. Rupp. At. zu der Reise in Nörd. Af. Vog. 10. Taf. 7, 1826; Hemp. & Ehrenb. Symb. Phys. av. pl. 1.—Souimanga metallique, N. metallica, Temm. Pl. Col. 347, figs. 1, 2.

Above, head, neck, back and less. w.-covers, blackish green, with purple lustre; rump and up. t.-covers steel-blue; w. brownish black; t. nearly square, centre feathers only elongated, black,—the latter narrowly edged with violet, slightly spatulate at the tips.—Below, throat, fore part of the neck, and upper breast, blackish green, bordered with a distinct collar of clear blue; lower breast, belly, and vent, pale king’s-yellow; und. t.-covers yellowish white, tipped with yellow; bill, tarsi, and feet, black.—Length, 6 in.; of bill to forehead, 4-10ths; of w. to long. quill, 2 in. 1-10th; long feathers exceed the square tail to 2 in.

Hab. N. E. Africa, south of Suchet, Rüppell. Southern Arabia, Dongola, Abyssinia, Ehrenb. Nubia, Dongola, Temm.

N. zeylonica, Linnæus, 1766.

Certhia zeylonica, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 188 (syn. exc.); Gm. Syst. i. p. 482 (syn. exc.); Lath. Ind. Orn. i. p. 285 (syn. exc.)—Ceylonese Creeper, Lath. Gen. Hist. iv. p. 227 (syn. exc.)—Cinnyris sola, Jerd. in Madras Journ. ii xi. p. 128 226.—Souimanga a ceinture maroon, Vieill. Ois. Dor. p. 37 45, pl. xvi. (syn. exc.).

Above, crown extending to the occiput, deep olive-green, with green and purple reflections; less. w.-covers similar, with a much greater tint of purple; cheeks and auriculars, deep umber-brown; back and sides of the neck, back, and scapulars, purplish brown; lower back and up. t.-covers, amethystine-purple; w. umber-brown, edges of the feathers paler; t. nearly black, exterior features tipped with grey, on the outer for a third of its length.—Below, chin, throat, and fore part of the neck, amethystine purple, the breast crossed by a bar of purplish red, continued from a brown colour of the upper parts; lower breast and belly king’s-yellow, shaded to a paler tint on the flanks, vent, and und. t.-covers; bill, tarsi, and feet, dark brownish black.—Length, 4 in. to 4 in. 2-10ths; of bill to forehead, 6-10ths; of w. to long. quill, 2 in. 2-10ths.

Hab. Ceylon, Linn. Continental India. Carnatic, more than any other part of the peninsula, Jerd.—Note. Varies in the degree of purple on the coronal patch; gular patch steel-blue; spec in coll. of H. Strickland, Esq.; in breadth of purplish red pectoral band.

N. affinis, Shaw, 1811.

Souimanga a gorge violette, Vieill. Ois. Dor. pl. 32.—Red-breasted Creeper, var. B., Lath. Gen. Hist. iv. p. 221 219.—Certhia sperata, var. γ, Lath. Ind. Orn. i. p. 283 (syn. exc.).—Souimanga à ventre écarlate, N. coccingaster, Temm. Pl. Col. 388, fig. 3.—Certhia affinis, Violet-throated Creeper, Shaw, Gen. Zool. viii. p. 208. 1811.

Above, crown, extending to the occiput, green with golden reflections; cheeks and aricularas black; back and sides of the neck, back, and gr. covers, dark purplish red; lower back and upp. t.-covers olive green with purple reflections; w. umber-brown, edges of the feathers paler, bend green; tail black, out. edges of the feathers violet.—Below, chin, throat, and forepart of the neck, amethystine-purple; lower breast and belly scarlet; small patch of metallic-green feathers where the pectoral patch terminates; vent and und. t.-covers oil-green; bill, tarsi, and feet, dark umber-brown, base of the mandible pale.—Length, about 4 in.; of bill to forehead, 6\(\frac{1}{2}\)-10ths; of w. to long. quill, 2 in. 1-10th.

Hab. Manilla, Temm.—Note. The true C. sperata, Linn. (Certhia Philippensis purpurea, Briss.) seems to differ from Temminck’s bird in having the head, throat, and upper part of the neck “splendidissimè violaceæ;” and in the lesser w.-covers, lower back, rump, and up. t.-covers “violacea, splendidè viridi colore variantes.” “Violet” can only be applied to the gular patch of N. affinis, brilliant green with slight purple reflections being the colour of the other parts. We suspect that this is a variety, and that it should stand as N. sperata, Linn. with its synonims.

N. hasseltii, Temminck, 18—.

Souimanga de Hasselt, N. Hasseltii, Temm. Pl. Col. 376, fig. 3.—Certhia sperata, Sir St. Raffels, Trans. Linn. Soc. xiii. p. 298, 1822.—Certhia Braziliensis violacea, Briss. Ornithol. 4to. iii. p. 662, pl. xxxii. fig. 4; 8vo. ii. p. 19 18.—Black and Violet Creeper, Lath. Gen. Hist. iv. p. 274.—Le Souimanga violet, Vieill. Ois. Dor. p. 65 39.—Certhia Brasiliana, Shaw, Gen. Zool. viii. p. 257.

Above, the crown, extending upon the occiput and nape, golden-green (feathers of a soft and disunited texture); cheeks, sides, and back of the neck, w., and t., deep black; mantle, lower back, up. t.-covers, less. w.-covers, metallic olive-green varied with steel-blue and purple.—Below, chin nearly black, bordered by a maxillary stripe, which with the neck and breast is amethystine-purple; on each side of the pectoral patch a small spot of steel-blue; lower breast and belly purplish red; vent and und. t.-covers greyish black; bill, tarsi and feet, black.—Length, 3 in. 8-10ths; of bill to forehead, 6-10ths; of w. to long. quill, 2 in.

Hab. Java, Temm.

N. calcostetha, Jardine, 1842.

Above, crown, extending backwards upon the nape, dark emerald-green; less w.-covers, lower back, rump, and up. t.-covers, metallic olive-green with purple reflections; w. blackish brown, great. w.-covers edged with violet; cheeks, sides of the neck, back, and t. black, feathers of the latter edged with steel-blue.—Below, chin black; maxillary stripes amethystine-purple; fore part of the neck and breast copper-red (black when not held in the light); lower breast and belly violet-purple joining on each side with the maxillary stripes; lower belly, vent, and und. t.-covers, greyish-black; axillary tufts deep king’s-yellow; bill, tarsi, and feet black.—Length, 3 in. 6-10ths; of bill to forehead, 6\(\frac{1}{2}\)-10ths; of w. to long. quill, 2 in. 2-10ths.

Hab. E. Ind. Islands?—Note. Nearly allied to N. aspasia, Less.; differing from the figure and description by distinction of colours on the breast, greyish black vent, and the presence of yellow axillary tufts. (See description of that sp. in Pl. II.)

N. lotenia, Linnæus, 1766.

Certhia lotenia, Linn. Syst. Nat., p. 188 (syn. exc.), 1766; Gmel. Linn. i. 483 (syn. exc.).—Certhia polita, Lath. Ind. Orn. i. p. 287, 1790.—Polished Creeper, Lath. Gen. Hist. iv. p. 245.—Le Souimanga pourpre, Vieill. Ois. Dor. ii. pl. xi.—Purple Indian Creeper, Edw. Glean. ii. pl. 265, up. figure.—Cinnyris purpurata, Vieill, Enc. Method. p. 596, 1823; Cinnyris polita, Jerd. Madras Journ. 1840, p. 127 225.—Purple Creeper, Certh. purpurata, Shaw, Gen. Zool. viii. p. 201.

Above, dark metallic-green, with blue and purple reflections; w. umber-brown; tail bluish black, feathers edged with green.—Below, chin velvet-black; and neck and upper parts of the breast dark metallic-green, shading at the lower edge into the steel-blue, sometimes tinted with violet, lower breast with a narrow band of purplish red; belly, vent, and und. t.-covers, yellowish hair-brown; axillary tufts ample, king’s-yellow; bill strong at the base, considerably curved, with the tarsi and feet black.—Length, 5 in.; of bill to forehead, 1 in. to 1 in. 1-10th; of w. to long. quill, 2 in. 2 or 3-10ths.

Above, “light greenish brown, quills darker, t. black.—Below, pale yellow; (differs from of N. mahrattensis only in darker tint in plumage above).” Jerd.

Hab. Ceylon, Linn. Carnatic, on the west coast of the peninsula, Jerd. Continental India.—Note. Varies in the intensity of the blue or purple shade of the plumage, and in the breadth of the reddish pectoral bar.

N. mahrattensis, Latham, 1801.

Certhia mahrattensis, Lath. Ind. Orn. Supp. p. xxxvi. 1801; Jerd. Mad. Journ. 1840, p. 127.—Le Souimanga du pays de Mahrattes, Vieill. Enc. Method. Orn. p. 595—Souimanga azuré, C. cyaneus, Enc. Method. p. 599? 598—Le Souimanga violet, Vieill. Ois. Dor. pl. xii.—Purple Indian Creeper, Edw. Glean. ii. pl. 265, und. figure.—C. orientalis, Franck. Proceed. Zool. Journ. 1831, p. 122. Eastern Creeper, Lath. Gen. Hist. iv. p. 232, and Sugar Creeper, C. asiatica, p. 238, seem also synonims (syn. exc.).

Above, steel-blue, varied with green and purple reflections; w. brownish black; t. black, feathers edged with steel-blue.—Below, chin, neck, and upper breast, steel-blue, inclining to green and violet; fore part of the neck of a deeper and more violet tint, showing a central mark running towards for the whole length of the gular patch; across the lower breast a very narrow band of purplish red (sometimes partial, sometimes entirely wanting); belly, vent, and und. t.-covers, black, latter tipped with steel-blue; axillary tufts king’s-yellow, overlaid with orange-red; bill, tarsi, and feet, black.—Length, 4 in. 1-10th to 4 in. 5-10ths; of bill to forehead, 7-10ths; of w. to long. quill, 2 in. 1-10th to 2 in. 2-10ths.

“Above, greenish brown-grey, quills dusky, tail black.—Below, pale yellow, darkest on the throat.” Jerd.

Hab. Continental India and the Peninsula. Summit of the Nylgherries, Jerd. Nipaul, Hodg. S. Africa, Col. Sykes (requiring confirmation).—Note. If correct in N. asiatica for a syn., the bird should bear that name, being given in the Ind. Orn. in 1790. Varies in the shade of steel-blue and purple, and in the distinctness ad colour of the reddish pectoral band. Differs from N. lotenia in proportion of bill, black belly and vent, reddish orange on axillary tufts.

N. minima, Sykes, 1832.

Cinnyris minuta, Sykes, Proc. Zool. Soc, April, 1832, p. 98; Jerd. Mad. Journ, 1840, p. 128.

Above, crown and nape metallic-olive with purple reflections (texture soft); sides of the neck, back, rump, and up. t.-covers purplish scarlet-red, on the lower back and t.-covers, varied with pale bluish purple; w. umber-brown, t. blackish brown.—Below, neck, throat, and up. breast amethystine-purple; belly, vent, and und. t.-covers deep primrose-yellow; bill, tarsi, and feet, wood-brown.—Length, 3 in. 6-10ths; of w. to long. quill, 1 in 8-10ths.

Above, head, cheeks, back of the neck, and up. back, yellowish oil-green; less. w.-covers, lower back, and up. t.-covers, purplish scarlet-red, with a slight tinge of bluish purple; w. and t. umber-brown.—Below, primrose-yellow, darkest on the throat and breast.

Hab. High forest jungle of Malabar, Jerd. Dense woods of the Ghauts of the Decean. Col. Sykes.

N. solaris, Temminck, 18—.

Souimanga souici, N. solaris, Temm. Pl. Col. 347, fig. 3.

Above, coronal patch green, reaching rather beyond the line of the eyes; back of the neck, back, rump and up. t.-covers, dark oil-green; w. and t. umber-brown.—Below, throat, fore part of the neck and up. breast, very deep indigo tinted with violet, shading to dark metallic-green upon the edges of the gular patch; lower breast, belly, vent, and und. t.-covers, brilliant orpiment orange, paler on the vent.—Length 4\(\frac{1}{2}\) in.

Hab. Amboyna. Temm.

N. pectoralis, Horsfield, 1821.²⁵

Nect. pectoralis, Horsf. Trans. Linn. Soc. xiii. 1st. p. 167, 1821.—Souimanga distingue, N. eximia, Temm. Pl. Col. 138, M. & F. 18—.—Certhia Philippensis olivacea, Briss. Ornithol. 4to. iii. p. 623, pl. xxxiv. fig. 4; 8vo. ii. p. 7?—Grimpereau olive des Philippines, Pl. Enl. 576, fig. 4?

Above, front in a line with the eyes, a narrow streak over each steel-blue; w. umber-brown, feathers edged with oil-green; tail black, feathers (except the centre pair) tipped with white, that on the outside for half its length; other upper parts dark yellowish oil-green.—Below, chin, throat, and breast, deep steel-blue, in the centre of the throat and neck tinted with purple, and showing a defined mark; belly, vent, and und. t.-covers king’s-yellow, axillary tufts of a deeper shade; bill, tarsi, and feet, blackish brown.—Length, 3 in. 9-10ths; of bill to forehead, 7-10ths; of w. to long. quill, 2 in. 1-10th.

Hab. Java, Horsf. Reinwardt.

N. jugularis, Linnæus, 1766.

Certhia jugularis, Linn. Syst. Nat. p. 185.—Certhia Philipensis minor, Briss. Ornithol. 4to. iii. p. 617 616, pl. xxxii. fig. 5.; 8vo. ii. p. 5?—Souimanga a gorge blue, Vieill. Ois. Dor. p. 51, pl. xxix.

Above, yellowish hair-brown, greenish predominating on the lower part of the back; w. umber-brown; t. black, feathers (except the centre pair) tipped with white, that on the outside for half its length.—Below, chin, throat, and up. breast, deep steel-blue, intensely dark in the centre, at the sides a few dark brown feathers indicating a brown terminal band: belly, vent, and und. t.-covers dull king’s yellow, paler towards the vent axillary tufts ample, deep king’s-yellow; bill, tarsi, and feet, black.—Length, 3 in. 9-10ths; of bill to forehead, 7-10ths; of w. to long. quill, 2 in. to 2 in. 2-10ths.

Hab. Philippine Islands, Linn., Briss. Cumming (sp. in Zool. Soc.).—Note. The figure of Brisson is represented with the throat only dark.

N. goalpariensis, Royle, 18—.

Certhia Goalpariensis, Royle, Illust. Introd. p. lxxviii. tab. vii. fig. 1, 18—.—Goulparah Creeper, Lath. Gen. Hist. iv. p. 221, pl. lxxiv.——Cinnyris Vigorsii, Sykes, Proceed. Zool. Soc. 1832, p. 99 98.

Above, crown golden green with purple reflections; nape, back, and scapulars, deep brownish carmine-red, rump banded with pale king’s yellow, which can be concealed by lateral lengthened feathers of oil-green; w. umber-brown, feathers edged with oil-green; up. t.-covers and two centre t.-feathers deep green, remaining t. brownish black.—Below, chin, throat, neck, and breast, dazzling scarlet-red, on the maxilla a streak of violet-purple; belly, vent, and und. t.-covers, pale clove-brown; bill, tarsi, and feet, wood-brown, very pale on the mandible.—Length, 5 in. 4-10ths; of bill to forehead, 7-10ths; of w. to long. quill, 2 in. 2-10ths; long. feathers exceed the t. by 8-10ths.

Hab. Continental India, Col. Sykes. Goulparah, Lath. Northern India, Royle. Nipaul, Hodg.

N. lathami, Jardine, 1842.

N. Lathami, Jard. Nat. Lib. vol. xxxvi. p 233, 1842.

Above, forehead to the line of the eyes, steel-blue; back and sides of the neck, checks, back, and less. w.-covers, brownish red; lower back and rump dark gamboge-yellow, protected on the sides by lengthened plumes of oil-green; up. t.-covers steel-blue; tail black, feathers edged with steel-blue, graduated; w. umber-brown, edges of the feathers paler.—Below, chin, fore part of the neck, and breast, scarlet-red, maxillary stripes reach to the sides of the neck; narrow feathers of two colours, black and violet, forming a line of each, the black interior; belly, vent, and und. t.-covers, dull greyish oil-green; bill, tarsi, and feet, umber-brown, mandible slightly paler.—Length, 4 in. 2-10ths; of bill to forehead, 5\(\frac{1}{2}\)-10ths; of w. to long. quill, 2 in.

Hab. Continental India.—Note. Differs from N. Goalpariensis in the general tint of colouring, blue front and up. t.-covers; t. regularly graduating?

N. eximia, Horsfield, 18—.

N. eximia, Horsf. Trans. Linn. Soc. vol. xiii. p. 181 168.—Souimanga de Kuhl, N. Kuhlii, Temm. Pl. Col. 376, figs. 1, 2.

Above, coronal patch extending to the occiput, olive with metallic lustre; back and sides of the neck, back, and w.-covers, yellowish oil-green; rump pale gamboge-yellow; w. and t. pale umber-brown, latter graduating.—Below, Throat, fore part of the neck, and up. breast, brownish carmine, divided in the centre by an angular stripe of violet; belly dark umber-brown, shading to greenish white on the vent and und. t.-covers; axillary tufts very ample, white.—Length, 5 in.; of bill to forehead, 8-10ths; of w. to long. quill, 2 in. 2-10ths.

Hab. Java, Horsf., Temm.

N. nipalensis, Hodgson, 18—.

Cinnyris Nipalensis, Hodg. Spec. in Coll. of Zool. Soc.

Above, head, cheeks, and nape steel-blue; up. part of the back with a broad credscented band of deep reddish chestnut, extending to the breast and pointing upwards on the sides of the neck; lower back, less. w.-covers, scapulars, edges of the quills, and secondaries, clear oil-green; rump gamboge yellow; up. t.-covers steel-blue; w. blackish-brown; t. graduated, feathers rather accuminated at the tips, black—the two outer pairs tipped with grey, the outer feathers greenish steel-blue, black at the base and tips.—Below, gamboge-yellow, centre of the breast and belly reddish orange, throat steel-blue, inside of the w. pale yellowish white; bill, tarsi, and feet, blackish-brown.—Length, 5\(\frac{1}{2}\). in.; of bill to forehead, 7-10ths; of w. to long quill, 2 in.

Hab. Nipaul, Hodg.

N. gouldiæ, Vigors, 1831.²⁶

Cinnyris gouldiæ, Vig. Proc. Zool. Soc. part i. 1830 and 1831, p. 44; Gould. Cent. of Birds of Himalaya Mount. pl. lvi.

Above, crown extending to the occiput in a point, auriculars, spot at insertion of w., up. t.-covers, metallic blue with purple reflections; back and sides of the neck, back, chestnut red with a mixture of carmine; rump gamboge-yellow, w. umber brown; t. black, centre feathers enlongated, broadly edged with steel-blue.—Below, gamboge-yellow sparingly dashed with red; throat steel-blue with purple reflections; bill, tarsi, and feet, umber-brown.—Length (equaling N. goalpariensis).

Hab. Alpine India. Himalaya, Gould.

N. Hodgsoni, Jardine, 1842.

Above, crown, nape, up. t.-covers, very deep blue; sides of the neck, up. back, and scapulars, dark reddish chestnut (nearly blood-red); lower back black; neck pale yellow; w. brownish black; t. black, centre feathers much lengthened, edged broadly with blue at the centre.—Below, chin, fore part of the neck, and breast, deep black; maxillary stripes long, deep blue; vent and und. t.-covers greenish grey; flanks and under surface of the w. yellowish white; bill brownish black; tarsi and feet umber-brown.—Length, 5\(\frac{1}{2}\) in.; of bill to forehead, 7-10ths; of w. to long quill, 2-10ths; centre t. feathers exceed true tail 1 in. 2-10ths.

Hab. Nipaul, Hodg.—Note. Our specimen rather mutilated descript. will require revision with a perfect skin.

N. phænicura, Jardine, 1842.

——, Col. Zool. Soc. No. 1690 (not named).

Above, crown steel-blue; back and sides of the neck, back, up. t.-covers, two long t. feathers, and the other webs of the others, bright orange scarlet-red; rump dull gamboge yellow; scapulars, less. w.-covers, and edges of the quill and secondaries, oil-green; wings umber-brown; tail, inner webs of the feathers, except the centre pair, umber-brown, tips paler,—seen from beneath, reddish grey.—Below, chin and centre of the throat and neck, deep velvet black, bordered by maxillary stripe of deep steel-blue; breast and upper belly orange-yellow; lower belly, vent. and und. t.-covers, dull gamboge-yellow; lower belly, vent. and und. t.-covers, dull gamboge-yellow; bill blackish-brown; tarsi and feet umber-brown.—Length, exclusive of out. t.-feathers, 5 in.; of wing to long quill, 2 in. 2-10ths.

Above, yellowish oil-green; wings umber-brown; rump dull gamboge-yellow; up. t.-covers, centre feathers, and out. webs of others, orange scarlet-red; throat, fore part of the neck and breast, pale oil-green; belly, vent, and und. t. covers, dull gamboge-yellow darkest in the centre of the former; bill, tarsi, and feet, brownish-black.—Length, 7 in.; long feathers exceed the others by 1\(\frac{1}{2}\) in.

Hab. Silhet, Sir F. Egerdon, Bart. Nipaul, Hodg.—Note. The last bird, described as , was sent to Zool. Soc. by Mr. Hodgson, and is probably a young . It is probable these two last species have been previously named by Mr. Hodgson.

Species Not Examined, but Which Appear to Stand on Good Authority.²⁷

N. pusilla, Vieillot, 1823.

Le Sucrier, Le Vaill. Ois. d’Af. vi. p. 172, pl. 298, M. & F.—Le Souimanga Sucrier, Cinnyris pusillus, Vieill. Enc. Method. p. 587.

The back, back of neck, up. w.-covers, scapulars, and the last w.-feathers near the back, deep reddish purple (maroon). The rump and up. t.-covers bright violet. Head and fore part of the neck changing green, with blue and purple reflections; all the lower parts of the body, including the lower t.-covers, reddish orange, dullest on the higher parts; quills black with blue reflections.—Size of the common wren.

Yellowish olive upon the head, back of the neck, upper parts of the body, and w.; the throat and fore part of the neck very pale yellow, becoming deeper on the breast and flanks, and again changing to a paler tint on the vent.

Hab. Forests in the vicinity of Vanstaade and Loury, Le Vaill.—Note. Known by the fit. and a descript. of Le Vailland. Authority for the above characters: pusilla is kept, that nae of Linn. being applied to a female or young of some species. Should stand near N. collaris or venusta.

N. rectirostris, Shaw, 1811.

Le Souimanga a bec droit, Vieill. Ois. Dor. pl. lxxv. p. 112.—Le Souimanga mignon, Cinnyris elegans, Vieill. Enc. Method. p. 393 593, 1823; Vieill. Gal. des Ois. i. p. 292, pl. clxxviii.

Head, back, rump, and w.-covers, bronzed green; w. and t. clear brown, feathers bordered with dull green.—Below, the chin and fore part of the neck yellow, up. part of breast bronzed green, forming a broad pectoral band; lower breast, pale red; belly and vent dull yellow, becoming paler on the und. t.-covers; bill and feet, blackish.—Length, 3\(\frac{1}{2}\) in.

Hab. Africa or India? Vieill.—Note. Descript. aut. Vieill. fig. in Ois. Dor. and Gal.

N. aspasia, Lesson, 1826.

Souimanga aspasia, Cinnyris aspasia, Less. Voy. de la Coq. vol. i. p. 676 and Atlas, pl. xxx. fig. 4.

With a coronal patch of emerald-green extending over the crown upon the occiput; cheeks, sides of the neck, back, w., and t., deep velvet black, feathers of the latter edged with green; covers of the w. and their bend, lower back, and up. t.-covers, golden-green; chin, throat, and fore part of the breast, with a brilliant patch of violet inclining to steel-blue; lower part of the breast, belly, and vent, deep black.—Length, 3 in. 6 lines.

Hab. Woods around harbour of Doréry, New Guinea, Auct. Voy. de la Coq.—Note. Will stand before or after N. calcostetha.

N. zenobia, Lesson, 1826.

Souimanga zenobie, Cinnyris zenobia, Less. Voy. de la Coq. vol. i. p. 679, and Atlas, pl. xxx. fig. 3.

Head, back, rump, gr. w.-covers, uniform yellowish-olive; w. brown, feathers edged with yellow; t. dull brown; chin, throat, and breast, steel-blue; belly velvet-black; vent and flanks olive; axillary tufts ample, orange-yellow.

Hab. Mountains of Soya, island of Amboyna.—Note. Known by the plate in Voy. de la Coq.; allied to the form of N. pectoralis, Horsf.

N. ? eques, Lesson, 1826.

Souimanga décoré, Cinnyris eques, Less. Voy. de la Coq. i. p. 678, and Atlas, pl. xxxi. fig. 1.

Plumage uniform yellowish umber-brown; fore part of the neck, throat, and breast, with a gular patch of bright scarlet-red bill and feet black.—Length 4 in. 5 lines.

Hab. Island of Waigiou, harbour of Doréry, N. Guinea. Lesson.—Note. Known by the plate in Voy. de la Coq.

N. siparaja, Raffles, 1822.

Certhia siparaja, Raff. Trans. Linn. Soc. xiii. p. 299.—Cinnyris siparaja, Cat. Zool. Spec. Mem. Sir St. Raff. App. p. 673.—Souimanga moustac, N. mysticalis, Temm. Pl. Col. 126, fig. 3.—(Auct. Cat. Mem. Sir St. Raffles, sup. cit.)

Crown with an imbricated patch of violet passing the line of the eyes, a maxillary streak, rump, and t. of the same colour; back of the neck, back, and less w.-covers, brilliant purplish red; w. blackish grey; throat, neck, and breast, purplish red (clearer than above); belly, vent, and und. t.-covers, white; bill and feed reddish brown.—Length, 4 in.

Hab. Java, Temm.—Note. This species has the t.-feathers elongated and ought to follow N. goalpariensis and lathami.

N. cardinalinus, Vieillot, 1823.

Cinnyris cardinalinus, Le Souimanga cardinalin, Vieill. Enc. Method. p. 598 599.—Le Sucrier cardinalin, Le Vaill. vi. p. 149, pl. 291.

Head, neck, back, rump, all the up. w.-covers, up. t.-covers, and the two long t.-feathers, golden-green; from the breast, carmine-red.

With the under parts yellow, instead of carmine-red,

Hab. Mountains in the country of the Great Namaquois, Le Vaill.—Note. This is the same form with N. pulchellus, and should stand after it. Vieillot suspects that it is that bird in mature plumage? Known by the descript. and figure of Le Vaillant.

N. insignis, Jardine, 1842.

N. pectoralis, Souimagna pectorale, Temm. Pl. Col. pl. 138, fig. 3.

Crown and nape emerald-green; cheeks, back of the neck, and back, velvet-black; w.-covers and up. t.-covers green with purple reflections; w. dull black, t. black, edges of the feathers green, graduated; chin, throat, fore part of the neck and breast, carmine read, maxillary stripes lengthened and surround the corner patch, blue; belly black, tinted with blue; vent, flanks, and und. t.-covers, dull black; axillary tufts king’s yellow; bill and feet black.—Length 4 in. 6 lines.

Hab. Java, Temm.—Note. Known by the figure quoted above. The name pectorialis is previously applied to Horsfield. See that sp. in Synopsis.

N. rubescens, Vieillot, 1823.

Le Souimanga mordorè, C. rubescens, Vieill. Enc. Method. Ois. p. 593.

Forehead golden-green, changing to blue on the crown; body above golden-red (aurato rubro); w. and t. black.—Throat and fore part of the neck green, bordered with blue on the lower part; breast, belly, and und. t.-covers velvet-black.

Hab. Congo, Vieill.—Note. Known by Vieillot’s descript. sup. cit. We consider the up. parts will be meant, as dark brownish black with a yellowish red reflection. It will stand near to N. stangeri, &c.

N. superbus, Vieillot, 1823.

Le sougnimbindou, Vieill. Ois. Dor. pl. xxii.—Le Souimanga sougnimbindou, C. superbus, Vieill. Enc. Method. Orn. 597.

Coronal patch blue; occiput, back of the neck, back, and up. w. and t.-covers, golden-green; w. and t. black.—Throat violet-purple with green reflections; breast red, separated from the throat by a narrow band of golden-green; belly, flanks, and und. t.-covers, dull red.

Hab. Congo, Malemba, Vieill.—Note. Known by the figure in Ois. Dor. Will stand near N. splendida and bifisciata.

N. abyssinica, Hemprich and Ehrenberg, 18—.

N. Habessinica, Hemp. and Ehrenb. Symb. Phys. av. pl. iv.

Crown, neck, and back, dark green with a bright golden lustre, forehead and crown having a violet lustre.—Breast with a blue interrupted band; above, crimson, terminated with yellowish spots; belly and vent violet-black, without lustre.—Length 4 in. 9-10ths; of bill, 8\(\frac{1}{2}\) in.

Greyish brown; tail, above, blackish.—Paler, vent and out. t.-feathers margined with white; belly with a yellow central spot.

Hab. Coasts of Abyssinia at Gelet, Hemp. and Ehrenb.—Note. Differs from N. chalybea in belly black, crown with a violet lustre, no blue rump; from N. chloropygia in violet crown. Known by the plate and descript. in the Symbolæ Physicæ, the authority for above.

N. affinis, Rüppell, 18—.

Cinnyris affinis, Rüpp. N. Wirb. p. 87, taf. 31, fig. 1.

Forehead black, tinted with bluish-purple; crown, back of the neck, and back, golden green; rump ultramarine-blue; tail black.—Chin and a pectoral band black; throat and fore part of the neck golden-green; belly and vent, yellow; axillary tufts orange.

Hab. Valleys on the coast of Abyssinia, near Massua, Rüpp.—Note. Differs from N. metallica in greater length of bill, black pectoral band. The name affinis will probably remain, as the same appellation given to a species in a previous part of the Synopsis may become a synonim to N. sperata.

N. madagascariensis, Vieillot, 1823.

Le Grimpereau violet de Madagascar, Briss. Ornithol. 4to. iii. pl. xxxii. figs. 2, 3, p. 638.—Le Souimanga, Vieill. Ois. Dor. ii. pl. xviii.—Le Souimanga proprement dit, C. Madagascariensis, Vieill. Enc. Method. Orn. p. 591.

Head, neck, back, scapulary feathers, and less. w.-covers, brilliant green, with a shade of violet in particular lights; the lower part of the back, rump, and up. t.-covers, brownish olive; w. brown, feathers edged with olive; t. black, bordered with green. Throat and neck, brilliant green; breast brown, separated from the color of the neck by two transverse bands, the upper violet-blue, the lower purplish brown; the belly and lower t.-covers pale yellow; flanks olive; axillary tufts yellow.—Length, 4 in 1 line.

Olive-brown; w. and t. as in .—Olive yellow.

Hab. Madagascar, Briss.—Note. First known by descript. of Brisson. Figured in Ois. Dor. the former our present authority.

N. angladianus, Shaw, 1811.

Le grimpereau verd de Madagascar, Briss. Ornithol. 4to. iii. pl. xxxiii. figs. 4, 5, p. 641.—L’Angla-dian. Vieill. Ois. Dor. pls. iii., iv.—Souimanga Angla-dian. C. lotenia, Vieill. Enc. Method. Orn. p. 590.

Golden-green; w. and t. black, feathers bordered with green; throat and neck golden-green; breast, belly, flanks, and und. t.-covers, velvet-black, these colours separated on the breast by a narrow transverse band of brilliant violet.—Length 5 in. 3 lines.

Green; w. and t. blackish-brown; breast, belly, sides, and und. t.-covers, greyish-white, varied with black spots.

Hab. Madagascar Briss.—Note. Standing near to N. splendida, bifasciata, &c. Known by descript. of Brisson and figure in Ois. Dor. The former our present authority.—N. lotenia, Linn. is frequently quoted erroneously as a syn. for this bird and N. splendida.