274 I'HE FEATHERED TIUBES. 



" One of the best opportunities of seeing this splendid bird in all the beauty of action, 

 ns well as display of plumage, is early in the morning, when he makes his toilet ; the 

 beautiful sub-alar plumage is then thrown out, and cleaned from any spot that may sully 

 its jDurity by being passed gently through the bill ; the short chocolate-coloured wings 

 are extended to the utmost, and he keeps them in a steady flapping motion, as if in 

 iniit-ation of their use in flight, at the same time raising up the delicate, long feathers 

 over the back, which are spread in a chaste and elegant manner, floating like films in 

 the anibient air. 



" I never yet beheld a soil on its feathers. Aitw expanding its wings, it would bring 

 them together so as to conceal the head, then bonding it gracefully it would inspect tho 

 state of its plumage underneath. This action it rejieats in qnick succession, uttering at 

 the time its croaking notes ; it then pecks and cleans its plumage in every pait within 

 reach, and throwing out tho elegant and delicate tuft of feathers underneath the wings,' 

 seemingly with much care, and with not a little pride, they are cleaned in succession, if 

 required, by throwing them abroad, elevating them, and passing them in succession 

 through the bill. Then turning its back to the spectator, the actions above-mentioned 

 are repeated, but not in so careful a manner ; elevating its tail and long shaft-feathers, 

 it raises the delicate plumage of a similar character to the sub-alar, forming a beautiful 

 dorsal crest, and throwing its feathers up with much grace, appears as proud as a lady 

 dressed in her full ball-dress. Having completed the toilet, he utters the usual cawing 

 notes, at the same time loolvijig archly at the spectators, as if ready to receive all tho 

 admiration that it considers its elegant form and display of plumage demand ; it then 

 takes exercise by hopping, in a rapid but graceful manner, from one end of the upper 

 perch to the other, and descends suddenly upon the second perch close to the bars of tho 

 cage, looking out for the grasshoppers which it is accustomed to receive at this time. 



" His prehensile power in the feet is very strong, and still retaining his hold, the bird 

 will turn himself round upon the perch. He delights to be sheltered from the glare of 

 the sun, as that luminary is a great source of annojance to him if jjcrmitted to dart its 

 fervent rays directly upon the cage. The iris frequently, by expanding and contracting, 

 adds to the arch look of this animated bird, as he throws the liead on one side to glance 



at visitors, uttering the cawing notes or barking aloud Having concluded, 



he jumps down to the lower perch in search of donations of li\ing grasshoppers. 



" This bird is not at all ravenous in its habits of feeding, liut it eats rice leisurely, 

 almost grain by grain. Should any of the insects tlirown into his cage fall upon the 

 iloiir, lie will not descend to them, appearing to be learful that in so dning he should snil 

 his drliciite plumage; he therefore seldom or ever descends, except to perform his 

 ablutions in the pan of water placed at the bottom of the cage expressly for his use." 



THE GltEATEU BIUI) OV I'AUAIHSE.* 



This is an exceedingly graceful bird. The long i3lumes with which it is ornamented 

 prevents its flying except against the wind ; for this, if blowing in the course of the bird, 

 woidd not only disorder these feathers, but, acting on them like sails, they would drive tho 

 bird along with irresistible rapiditj-. These birds abstain altogether from flight during a 

 storm, which woiild inevitably hurl them to tho ground. When on tlie wing they are 

 noisy, like starlings ; liut their common cry is said rather to resemble the croaking of 

 ravens, and is particularly audible when, in somewhat windy weather, llie incuiiihrance 

 of their long feathers brings them into imminent danger of falling. 



In the Aru Islands they are said to perch on the highest trees, and arc taken by tlu> 

 Jrihabitants wifli bird-lime or blunt arrows. "When taken alive, tlicy defend themselves 



• I'liiiidisira Major. 



