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HA RD WICKE 'S S CIENCE - G O SSI P. 



with the Paradise birds {Paradiseida), is an elegant 

 "Crow Shrike," adorned with phimage of a green 

 and purplish-black colour : it is the Manucodia Kerau- 

 dreni, and a question arises whether it migrates. 

 This bird has a peculiar formation of the trachea, the 

 convolutions being very large and numerous for the 

 size of the bird, and are lodged between the pectoral 

 muscles and the skin. Dr. Sclater informs me that 

 this peculiarity in the trachea has been already de- 

 scribed by Lesson, and I find a very accurate descrip- 

 tion of it has been published very recently by Pavesi 

 of Genoa. This bird is found about the same locali- 

 ties as the Rifle-birds {Epimachus iiiagnifica, et Vic- 

 toi-icE) : they frequent the dense forests, and are usually 

 seen high up in the trees : ihe note uttered by these 

 birds is a deep guttural, loud and prolonged. Their 

 movements are active and graceful ; when approached, 

 they evince more curiosity than fear, looking down 

 at the slightest noise, and appearing to be more 

 desirous of obtaining a full view of the intruder than 

 regarding their own safety. They are almost uni- 

 versally seen in pairs. In " Elliott's Monograph of the 

 Birds of Paradise," I find he mentions the Manucodia 

 Keraudreni as inhabiting the continent of Australia, 

 and other species of the same genus which are only 

 found in New Guinea, still I do not see how they can 

 be classed with the Paradise Birds, being so deficient 

 in all the rich and splendid plumage of that class of 

 birds, as well as differing in their anatomical struc- 

 ture. Yet if we refuse to admit this bird among the 

 Birds of Paradise, Australia still possesses three 

 species ; one in common with New Guinea, viz. Epi- 

 machus magnificus, and two exclusively to Australia, 

 Ptiluris Alberti of New South Wales and Queensland, 

 and Pliloris Victoriic, which is found on a limited 

 area in Queensland. 



The zoologist, when exploring the dense forests of 

 New Guinea, contemplates with admiration the mag- 

 nificent and gigantic fig-trees, the wild nutmeg 

 (Myristica), the Canary-nut {Canariuni), the noble 

 palms, the Candle-nut (Alcnrifcs), and other lofty 

 trees, clothed in luxuriant foliage. At some places the 

 vegetation was found more dense, and entangled by 

 numerous vines, and the strong-growing climbing 

 palm {Calamus Australis), mingled with numerous 

 ferns, orchids, and a variety of flowering plants. The 

 abundance of fruit-bearing trees attracted a number 

 of frugivorous and other birds, most of whom were 

 arrayed in the most gorgeous plumage conceivable. 

 Among them the fruit-eating pigeons {Carpophaga) 

 were plentiful, and on tlie tops of the loftiest trees, 

 the magnificent new Red Bird of Paradise {Paradisia 

 Raggiana) may be seen displaying its rich and elegant 

 plumage under the bright sunshine, or endeavouring 

 by the display to excite the attention of the unadorned 

 female, being apparently aware that liis elevated 

 position left him out of the reach of the arrows of 

 the natives or the gun of the naturalist. In some 

 of the localities, where the trees are lofty but not too 



much overgi'own by vines, the large and noblest 

 crowned pigeons {Goura coronata and 6*. Albertisi), the 

 size of a turkey, are often seen walking majestically 

 about, seeking for the fruits and seeds upon which 

 they subsist. The last [Goura Albertisi) was found 

 by Mr. D'Albertis on the south end of New Guinea, 

 opposite Yule Island. By a rivulet in some secluded 

 nook, the splendid and rare Kingfisher, the Halcyon 

 nigrocianea, and another, the Ceyx solitaria, are 

 heard uttering their very pleasing notes. Another of 

 the Kingfishers is seen in the midst of the foi-est, the 

 elegant racquet-tailed Kingfisher ( Tanysiptera dea), 

 whose plumage of vivid blue and white, and coral- 

 red bill, combined with the long spatulate tail, 

 renders this bird one of the most interesting of the 

 family : it may occasionally be seen darting down 

 upon a beetle, or some other insect. But still more 

 attractive for its rich beauty is the small, but not less 

 brilliant. King Bird of Paradise {Ciciunurus regius), 

 who may be seen climbing over the vines, displaying 

 the bright tints of its splendid rich and varied colours 

 to the bright rays of a tropical sun, as it occasionally 

 penetrates the dense foliage of the trees. \Vhere the 

 jungle is not very dense, a small bamboo grows, and 

 is a place of resort for the mound-building birds, as 

 the Megapodius and Talegalla, the place being suit- 

 able both for obtaining their food and for the con- 

 struction of their nests. The Great Black or Palm 

 Cockatoos were also attracted by the fruit of several 

 species of Canary-trees (Canarium) as well as by 

 the soft cabbage of the palm-trees on which they 

 feed. The note of this bird is very peculiar, being a 

 prolonged, loud, and shrill but mournful whistle. I 

 saw a fine living specimen of this bird in the Zoolo- 

 gical Gardens at Amsterdam in i860. The Red- 

 necked Hombills [Buceros ruficollis) were also seen : 

 their flight is very peculiar, being slow and steady, 

 with the puffing noise of a locomotive engine. At 

 night the attention of the naturalist is directed to the 

 myriads of fire-flies flitting about in all directions, 

 the variety of the strange noises, and probably still 

 stranger animals, still further banish sleep ; while at 

 dawn of day his attention is again attracted by the 

 piercing cries of dense flocks of lories {Lorius), 

 honey-eating parrots ( Trichoglossus), passing over- 

 head, the latter darting with the rapidity of an arrow. 

 Then he hears the loud cries of "Whock, whock, 

 whock," emanating from the unmusical, harsh, and 

 far from celestial voice of the true Birds of Paradise 

 {Paradiseidce), and this is followed by the shrill but 

 mournful whistle of the Great Palm Cockatoo [Jlficro- 

 glossum aterrimum), followed by the drum-like sound 

 of the Cassowary, and numerous other birds. The 

 novelty of the situation was most interesting, and the 

 traveller would feel difficulty in expressing the intense 

 delight and irresistible fascination he experienced at 

 the wildness and beauty of the scene. The number 

 of birds seen in certain localities in New Guinea is 

 very great. D'Albertis says, — "In the month of 



