260 DANGER OF BEAUTY. 



mysterious family is among its most magnifi- 

 cent members, the Paradisea Raggiana. A 

 fine specimen of this genus, mounted in the 

 position described by Wallace as the " dancing " 

 attitude of P. Apoda, the floating plumes ele- 

 vated in a "golden glory" above the head, is 

 the gem of the collection in the American 

 Museum of New York. It resembles the Great 

 Bird of Paradise, having long, airy plumes 

 springing from under each wing. In general 

 color golden brown, with yellow head and green 

 throat. To this bird, as to others, beauty is a 

 dangerous possession ; and, as if feeling aware 

 of the fact, it lives in the tops of tall trees, in 

 the deepest forest, among the most inaccessible 

 ravines. But wary though it be, one charac- 

 teristic lures it to destruction — curiosity. A 

 European hunter in his unfamiliar dress is an 

 irresistible attraction ; nearer and nearer it 

 comes, hopping from branch to branch, pausing 

 at every step to observe and study the intruder, 

 with neck stretched and wings flapping, every 

 moment uttering a peculiar cry, no doubt equiv- 

 alent to " Come and look ! " for it brings others 

 upon the scene, till the pretty sight is rudely 

 ended by a shot and a death-wound. The cry 

 of distress brings the friends nearer, only to 

 fall victims in their turn to the same murder- 

 ous gun. Our traveler once surprised a female 



