THE SCARLET DEEPANIS. 



211 



formidable a stronghold, and any noxious insect that might make its way through the 

 tunnel would soon be snapped up by the watchful parent. The substance of the nest is 

 composed of very slender grasses and fibres, and the entire structure is put together 

 with a delicate firmness tliat human fingers would strive in vain to imitate. 



It is said, upon very good authority, that the young of the Azure Csereba are blind 

 when they emerge from the eggshell, and that they do not attain the full power of vision 

 until they are able to fly and to get their own living. 



SCARLET DREPANIS.— H/v'jianM coccinea. 



The ScAELET Prepanis is well worthy of notice, not only on account of the position 

 which it holds in the present system of ornithology, but by reason of the extreme value 

 which is set upon it, and upon other species of the same genus, by the natives of the 

 country where it dwells. 



The colour of this bird is, as its name implies, scarlet upon the greater part of its 

 plumage, the wings and tail being black, so that the two contrasting tints have a 

 remarkalily good effect. It is an inhabitant of the Sandwich Islands, and is in very great 

 favoiir with the natives, who employ its plumage in the manufacture of those wonderful 

 feather mantles and helmets which cannot but excite the wonder of all who ponder upon 

 the singular amount of mechanical skill, dogged perseverance, and true artistic taste that 

 has been employed in their manufacture. 



The mantles, some fine specimens of which are in the British Museum, are made with 

 the greatest care, the precious feathers being so judiciously disposed that none are 

 wasted, while, at the same time, tliey cannot be discomposed by any movement of the 

 wearer so as to betray the groundwork on which they are woven. Their colours, too, are 

 arranged with gTeat artistic feeling, and produce a very brilliant effect without offending 

 the eye, or appearing to be needlessly gaudy. The helmets, which are in like manner 

 decorated with the glowing feathers of these beautiful birds, are even more wonderful than 

 the mantles, as they are not only skilfully constructed, but their form is absolutely clas.sic 

 in its graceful simplicity, and recalls to the spectator the best efforts of Greek art. 



These mantles are so extremely beautiful in the soft flowing grace of their folds, are 

 so light to the wearer, and so exc^uisitely brilliant in colour, that they would soon be in 

 great request in the world of fashion, were they once introduced by one of the leading 

 votaiies of that capricious deity. The feather head-dress, too, would be so soft, light 

 and brilliant, that it would soon vanquish all other costumes, and reign supreme. 



p2 



