562 The Birds of Paradise, 



over the upper part of the back. Beneath this, and forming 

 a band about one-third of an inch beyond it, is a second man- 

 tle of rich, glossy, reddish-brown feathers. The rest of the 

 back is orange-brown, the tail-coverts and tail dark bronzy, 

 the wings light orange-buff. The whole under surface is cov- 

 ered with an abundance of plumage springing from the mar- 

 gins of the breast, and of a rich deep green color, with change- 

 able hues of purple. Down the middle of the breast is a broad 

 band of scaly plumes of the same color, while the chin and 

 throat are of a rich metallic bronze. From the middle of the 

 tail spring two narrow feathers of a rich steel blue, and about 



THE MAGNIFICENT BIRD OF PARADISE [DiphyllodeS SpeciOSO). 



ten inches long. These are webbed on the inner side only, 

 and curve outward, so as to foi-m a double circle. 



From what we know of the habits of allied species, we may 

 be sure that the greatly developed plumage of this bird is 

 erected and displayed in some remarkable manner. The mass 

 of feathers on the under surface are probably expanded into a 

 hemisphere, while the beautiful yellow mantle is no doubt ele- 

 vated so as to give the bird a very different appearance from 

 that which it presents in the dried and flattened skins of the 

 natives, through which alone it is at present known. The feet 

 appear to be dark blue. 



This rare and elegant little bird is found only on the main- 

 land of New Guinea, and in the island of Mysol. 



