3Si 



while the two iinmensely lüHg filaments of the tail hane^ 

 in graceful curves below (1). 



In the freshlv killed specimens it can be easily seen 

 (even did not o])servation of the living bird prove it) 

 that this is the natural position of the long plumes. They 

 all spring from an oval fold of the skin, about an 

 inch in length , situated just below the elbow or first 

 joint of the wing. On this point they turn as on a 

 hinpre, and admit onlv of beinsr laid down closed be- 

 neath the wing, or erected and expanded in the man- 

 ner described, which position they take of their own 

 accord, if the bird is held up by the legs, with the 

 head inclining a little downwards, and the whole gentlj 

 shaken. In this manner, by sligtly altering the posi- 

 tion of the body, all the forms which the plumage 

 assumes during life can be correctly and beautifuUy imi- 

 tated. If I am right in supposing this attitude to be 

 now first made known in Europe , and our taxiderraists 

 succeed in properly representing it, the Bird of Para- 

 dise will, 1 am sure, excite afresh universal admiration 

 and be voted worthy of its illustrious name. 



The curious habit of the males assembling to play 

 and exercise their limbs and feathers, occurs in some 

 ether birds, as the Turkeys and Argus Pheasants, and 

 particularly' in the Riqncola cayana, which, though a 

 true arboreal bird, has its ball-room on the ground, 

 generally on a flat rock, on which a space of a few 

 feet in diameter is worn clean and smooth by the feet 

 of the dancers. On these spots the natives set snares 



(1) A note on the mode in wliich tlie male Bird of Paradisea 

 displays hls pluraes, will be found in the Annals for February 

 1854, Vol xiTi p. 157. 



