THE PERCHING BIRDS 



119 



resembling velvet. The throat-feathers have a scaly appearance, and are emerald-green in colour. 

 The flank-feathers on either side of the body form a dense mass of long, delicate, waving 

 phmies, sometimes 2 feet in length, of an intense orange colour, and shining with a wonderful 

 gloss. These feathers can he raised and spread out at pleasure, so as to almost conceal the 

 wearer in a fountain-like rain of feathers. This wonderful plumage is worn by the male onl)', 

 the female being quite plainl}' dressed. In May, when they are in full dress, the male? 



Fh>:<, by C. Rtid] 



A FAIR OF MAGPIES 



Wh'.Tt taken youngs the magpie n ejs.'/y tamed^ and cau he taught to imitate human sounds 



l^yuhaw, N. B. 



assemble earl}' in the morning to exhibit themselves, forming what arc known as " dancing- 

 parties," which take place on the topmost boughs of some giant tree. " From a dozen to twentj- 

 birds assemble together," writes Mr. Alfred Russell Wallace, " raise up their wings, stretch out 

 their necks, and ele\ate their exquisite plumes, keeping them in continual \ibration. Between- 

 whiles the\' fly across from branch to branch in great excitement, so that the whole tree is 

 tilled with waving plumes in ever}- variety of attitude and motion." The native hunter marks 

 these playing-places, builds a shelter of palm-lea\-es in a convenient situation among the branches, 

 and ensconces himself under it before da}-light, armed with a bow and a number of arrows 

 terminating in a round knob. When the dance is in full swing, he shoots through the roof of 

 his shelter with the blunt arrows, stunning every bird he strikes, which, falling down at once, 

 are immediately picked up by a boy in waiting below. Often a considerable number will be 

 ihus secured before the alarm is taken. 



Without coloured figures, or \ery numerous photographs from living birds, which we 

 can hardl}- hope to get, it would be impossible, except at the risk of being wearisome, to 

 describe all the wonderful combinations of form and colour which the feathers of the birds of 

 paradise display. Breast-shields of metallic sheen, fans and crests in wonderful variety, feathers 

 of a texture like velvet, or gorgeous colours, confuse one in their variety and combination. 



