BIRDS-OF-PABADISE. 



621 



the inner side only, a web of an cniornkl green color, which is coiled up into a perfect 

 sjiii-al disc. It is a native of New Guinea and tlic outlying islets suiioimding it, 

 frequenting the smaller trees in the thickest parts of the forest, feeding on various 

 fruits, often of a very large size for so small a bird. It is very active on its wing and 

 feet, and makes a whirring sound while flying, something like the South American 

 manakins. 



Fio. ■2!^G. — Seleueidea alba, twelve-wired Par.idise bird. 



Wallace did not meet with the six-shafted Paradise bird {I'ltrotin scfhita), which 

 is coiifine.l to the main island of Now (4uinea. It is the mi.ldle figure of the ])late, 

 from which is at oiico apjiareiit the feature which has given it its name. The i)lumage 

 appears at fii-st sight black, but it glows in <'frtain liglits with bronze and deep i>urpie. 

 The throat and bieast are scaled with l>road, Hat feathers of an iulensu gohkii Inie, 

 changing to green and blue tints in certain lights. On the back of the head is a broad 



