HABITS OF THE PARADISE BIED. 423 



of procuring a living female specimen of this bird ; to endeavour, if possible, to breed 

 them in his a\'iar}\ 



The sounds uttered by this bird are very peculiar ; that which appears to be a note of 

 congratulation resembles somewhat the cawing of a raven, but changes to a various scale 

 in musical gradation, as he! MI ho! haw! repeated rapidly and frequently, as lively and 

 playfully he hops round and along his perch, dismounting to the second perch to be 

 admired, and congratulate the stranger who has made a visit to inspect him ; he frequently 

 raises his voice, screeching forth notes of such power as to be heard at a long distance and 

 as it would scarcely be supposed so delicate a bird could utter; these notes are u-hock! 

 whock ! tchock ! whock ! uttered in a barking tone, the last being uttered in a low note 

 as a conclusion. 



A drawing of the bii'd of the natural size was made by a Chinese artist ; this was 

 taken one morning to the original, who paid a compliment to the artist by considering it 

 one of liis own species. The bird advanced stedfastly towards the picture, uttering at the 

 same time its cawing, congratulatorj- notes ; it did not appear excited by rage, but pecked 

 gently at the representation, jumping about the perch, knocking its mandibles together 

 with a clattering noise, and cleaning them against the perch as if welcoming the arrival of 

 a companion. 



After the trial with the picture, a looking-glass was brought to see what effect it would 

 produce upon the bird, and the result was nearly the same ; he regarded the reflection of 

 himself most stedfastly in the mirror, never quitting it dming the time it remained before 

 him. "^Mien the glass was removed to the lower from the upper perch, he instantly 

 followed, but would not descend upon the floor of the cage when it was placed so low. 



It seemed impatient, hopping about without withdrawing its gaze from the mirror, 

 uttering the usual cawing notes, but with evident surprise that the reflected figure, or, as he 

 seemed to regard it, his opponent, imitated so closely all his actions and was as watchful as 

 himself There was, however, on his part no indication of combativeness by any elevation 

 of the feathers, nor was any irritation displayed at not being able to approach nearer to 

 the supposed new comer from his own native land. His attention was directed to the 

 mirror during the time it remained before him ; but when removed, he went quietly and 

 composed himself upon the upper perch, as if nothing had excited him. 



One of the best opportvmities of seeing this splendid bird in all its beauty of actions, 

 as well as display of plumage, is early in the morning, when he makes his toilet ; the 

 beautiful sub-alar plumage is then thrown out and cleaned from anj^ spot that may sully 

 its purity, by being passed gently through the bill ; the short chocolate-coloured wings 

 are extended to the utmost, and he keeps them in a steady flapping motion as if in 

 imitation of their use in flight, at the same time raising up the delicate long feathers over 

 the back, which are spread in a chaste and elegant manner, floating Uke films in the 

 ambient air. In this position the bird would remain for a short time seemingly proud of 

 its heavenly beauty, and in raptures of delight with its most enchanting self ; it will 

 then assume various attitudes, so as to regard its plumage in every direction. 



I never yet beheld a soU on its feathers. After expanding the -wings it would bring 

 them together so as to conceal the head, then bending it gracefully it would inspect the 

 state of its plumage undemeatL This action it repeats in qmck succession, littering at the 

 same time its croaking notes ; it then pecks and cleans its plumage in everj^ part within 

 reach, and throwing out the elegant and delicate tuft of feathers imdemeath the wings, 

 seemingly with much care and ■«'ith not a little pride, they are cleaned in succession, if 

 required, by throwing them abroad, elevating, and passing them in succession through the 

 bill. Tlien turning its back to the spectator, the actions above mentioned are repeated, 

 but not in so careful a manner ; elevating its tail and long shaft-feathers, it raises the 

 delicate plumage of a similar character to the sub-alar, forming a beautiful dorsal crest, 

 and tlirowing its feathers up with much grace, appears as proud as a lady dressed in her 

 full ball-dress. Ha^■ing completed his todet he utters the usual cawing notes, at the 

 same time looking archly at the spectators, as if ready to receive all the admiration that 

 it considers its elegant form and display of plumage demands ; it then take^ exercise by 

 hopping in a rapid but graceful manner fi-om pne end of the upper perch to the other, and 



