Above, cinorous-brown, the shafts of the feathers darkest; greyish
on the forehead, and rufous on the sides of the neck; chin whitish,
with a brown moustache; under parts mottled rufous, grey, and
white; rump greenish; vent a fine yellow. Length, wing,
4"; tail of male often extending 14". The female has generally a
shorter tail, but Captain Shelley says that the length of this organ
depends upon the age of the individual and on the season more than
on the sex. He gives the measurements of a hen bird as follows:—
Total length, 15‘7 inches; culmen, 1‘25; wing, 3 '8 ; tail, 11;
tarsus, 0-95.
Fig. Shelley, Monogr. Gmnyridoe, part 1.
292. P eomerops g ur n ey i. Gurney’s Long-tailed Sun-bird.
This species, described by the late Mr. Jules Yerreaux (P. Z. S.,
1871, p. 135) represents the foregoing in Natal, and the eastern
part of the Transvaal, and differs from it in having the crown and
breast chestnut. Mr. T. Ayres, who discovered it in Natal, states
that in habits it much resembles Neclarinia natalensis, its food
being also the same, viz., nectar and small insects, especially spiders.
“ It is very rare in this locality, and besides is more shy than most
other species; I believe it is only to be found during the winter
months.” Mr. T. A. Barratt procured several specimens between
Pretoria and Lydenburg, and states that he found them exclusively
on the “ Zuikerbosch,” or sugar bush. Mr. T. Ayres likewise
remarks that in the Lydenburg district the species is tolerably
common, feeding on the nectar of the flowers of a scrubby tree,
common on the sides and summits of the mountains.
Fig. Yerreaux, P. Z. S., 1871, pi. viii.
293. N ec tar in ia famosa. Malachite Sun-bird.
Common throughout the colony, this Sun-bird abounds on the
Cape Plats during the flowering of the Protea, from which it
extracts the saccharine juice by means of its long brush-tipped
tongue. Captain Shelley observed them near Cape Town, and we
have found them plentiful up the ravines of Table Mountain,
extending even to the top. Mr. Andersson states that it is
“ extremely abundant in Little Namaqua Land, and also occurs,
though but rarely, in the southernmost part of Great Namaqua
Land.” Yictorin records it as found by him in the Karroo in
December, and at the Knysna from April to December. Here also
Andersson obtained many specimens and Captain Shelley also found
it in the neighbourhood of Mossel Bay. Farther to the eastward the
latter gentleman obtained it at Port Elizabeth and Mr. Rickard at
East London. Mr. T. C. Atmore sent us specimens from the vicinity
of G-rahamstown, but in Natal it is apparently rarer, and Captain
Shelley believes it to be migratory there, as he did not observe it
during February and March. Mr. Ayres states that it is found more
in the inland part of the colony, and in the Transvaal; here, according
to the same naturalist, it is exceedingly scarce, a few only being found
in the hills and open country adjacent to Potchefstroom. Mr. T. E.
Buckley procured some beautiful male specimens during his trip from
Natal to the Matabili country, on the Drakensberg mountains. He
writes as follows :—“ Only seen in this one place, but most likely only
a summer visitant. About here I found several pairs living amongst
the thick patches of bush along the small streams that run down
the side of the Drakensberg. They were restless but not at all shy.”
He has also recently met with it both in Natal and Suaziland.
Mr. F. A. Barratt obtained several in the Macamac district near the
Lydenburg Goldfields. In the latter district Mr. T. Ayres says that
it is commoner than G. chalybea frequenting the same localities, but
is more especially to be found about the sugar bushes with Prome-
rops gurneyi. Approaching the Zambesi it appears to diminish in
numbers. Dr. Kirk says that he only saw it once, during the rainy
season, in a thick clump of trees near the river Shire.
An excellent account of the habits of this fine species is given by
Captain Shelley in his “ Monograph of the Ginnyridce,” which
leaves us little to add. It is very partial to the blossoms of the
aloe, among which it finds an abundance of its insect food. I t has
a shrill, not unpleasing, but short song, and when pursuing a rival
utters a piercing scream. It is very combative, and if two males
meet about the same bush, a fight is sure to ensue, to the great
detriment of their beautiful tail-feathers. The males lose their
beauty in the winter season; and the young birds are just like the
females. It builds a domed nest of cobweb, lichens, dry leaves, and
odds and ends of all kinds, usually suspended on the outside of a
bush or from the branch of a tree. The eggs, two* in number, are
* Two seems the normal number of eggs laid by all the Cape Nectarinice,
and some observers affirm the produce of these is always a male and female
bird.
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