202 On a recently discovered Species of Paradisea. 



males (perhaps young birds, perhaps birds out of nuptial 

 plumage) these feathers are much more elongated and the 

 length of the barbs of the middle of each feather is much re- 

 duced ; but these lengthen again so as to form a small spatule. 



The moult to the nuptial plumage proceeds iii various 

 ways : sometimes the lilac feathers of the breast are the first 

 to appear ; in others the wiry rectrices are the first to take 

 the place of their pjedecessors. In some cases these latter 

 are fully grown before the ornamental side-plumes make 

 their appearance. In others, again, they grow contempora- 

 neously with these plumes. 



The following is a diagnosis of the adult male and female 

 birds : — 



Paradisea decora. (Plate VIII.) 



(J . Supra sericeo-straminea, alis et cauda fuscis, illarum tec- 

 tricibus stramineo lavatis ; rectricibus mediis elongatis 

 filiformibus, ramis ad medium evanescentibus sicut in P. 

 apoda ; fronte angusta et gula velutino-viridescenti ni- 

 tentibus, mento sub certa luce obscuriore ; subtus lilacino- 

 vinacea, pectore saturatiore, abdomine medio albican- 

 tiore; plumis hypochoiidriacis posticis ruberrimis, apici- 

 bus canescentibus, ramis valde distantibus sicut in P. 

 sanguinea, anticis brevibus, apicibus saturatissime rubro- 

 vinaceis ; rostro plumbeo ad apicem albicante ; pedibus 

 pallide plumbeis ; iride (avis vivi) flava : long, tota 14 

 poll. Angl., alee 7, caudte rectr. elong. 18, rectr. lat. 6, 

 rostri a rictu 1*6, tarsi 1*8. 

 ? . Inornata, supra olivaceo-fusca stramineo tincta, gula 

 saturate brunnea ; subtus rufescenti-fusca, pectore et hy- 

 pochondriis anticis fusco irroratis ; caudee rectricibus 

 duabus mediis angustis et acutis, reliquis paulo brevi- 

 oribus. 

 Hab. Fergusson Island, D^Entrecasteaux group [Goldie). 

 Mus. Brit, (specimina septem) . 



In conclusion we must eongratulate Mr. Goldie on the 

 discovery of this fine species, and at the same time express 

 our opinion that these islands, with their peculiar Bird of 

 Paradise, the home, too, of Manucodia comrii and of the 

 Otidiphaps lately described as O. insularis, are well worthy 

 of further pa*^ient investigation. 



