98 STOKIES ABOUT BIKDS. 



There are several species of tlie bird of Para- 

 dise. The one which is represented in this 

 engraving is called the Great Bird of Paradise. 

 It is extremely beautiful, as any of my readers 

 can judge from the picture. 



This species appears to the eye as large as 

 a pigeon, though in reality the body is not 

 much greater than that of a thrush. The tail, 

 which is about six inches in length, is as long 

 as the body. The wings are large, compared 

 with the bird's other dimensions. The head, 

 the throat, and the neck, are of a pale gold 

 color. The base of the bill and the side of 

 the head and throat are surrounded by black 

 feathers, which are as soft as velvet, and change- 

 able like- those on the neck of a black bird. 

 The hinder part of the head is of a shining 

 green, mixed Avith gold. The body and wings 

 are chiefly covered with beautiful brown, pur- 

 ple, and gold feathers. The uppermost part 

 of the tail feathers are of a pale yellow, and 

 those under them white and longer than the 

 former; for which reason the hinder part of 

 the tail appears to be all white. But what 

 chiefly excites curiosity are the two long naked 

 feathers which you will see springing from the 

 upper part of the rump above the tail, and which 

 are usually about three feet long. These are 



