440 Mr. W. P. Pycraft on the Pterylography §c. 



which were spread in a most graceful manner, each feather 

 vibrating in a way that almost dazzled the sight. During 

 this display the bird would become greatly excited, and 

 sometimes turn almost under the perch or branch, the head 

 and neck being bent so low down." 



Reading this, which was apparently written from memory 

 for Elliot's Monograph, we get no idea of the position 

 of the plumes, but the last lines shew that Bartlett must 

 have witnessed the final stage of the display, which has been 

 fully described above and figured. 



It may be worth noting that when scratching their heads 

 the Birds-of-Paradisc, like other Passeres, bring the foot 

 over the wing and side-plumes, although the operation is 

 apparently conducted with some difficulty. Under the cir- 

 cumstances we should almost have expected these birds to 

 adopt the more; simple mode employed by other birds, such 

 as Parrots. 



At my suggestion, Mr. W. P. Pycraft has made a careful 

 examination of the dermal muscles which control the side- 

 plumes in /\ minor, P. apoda, and allied forms ; and the 

 results of his investigations will be found in the memoir 

 following. 



XXVII. — On the Pterylography and Dermal Myology of 

 the Lesser Bird-of- Paradise, with especial reference to the 

 " Display." By W. P. Pyckaft, F.Z.S., A.L.S., &e. 



Introductory. 



When Mr. Ogilvic-Graut suggested to me that I should 

 endeavour to explain the mechanism by which the extra- 

 ordinary display of Paradisea minor is effected, so as to 

 form a supplement to his own paper on the subject, I had 

 unfortunately no example of that species at hand for ex- 

 amination. Through the kindness of Mr. Beddard, however, 

 this matter was soon remedied by the loan of a specimen in 

 spirits from the collection under his charge at the Prosec- 

 torium of the Zoological Society. The complement to this 



