152 Mr. A. P. Goodwin on the Paradise-birds 



opportunity of watching this bird's movements. It has a 

 strong resemblance to the Silky Bower-bird of New South 

 Wales [Ptilonorhynchus holosericeus) both in form and 

 habits. It has a similar bill, beautiful blue eyes, and strong 

 legs, and, like tbe Bower-bird, is very cautious, restless, and 

 swift. It has also a similar flight. Although P. laivtsi 

 does not build a bower, still it has its play-ground, where a 

 number of these birds (from six to eight) may be found 

 playing together. The play-ground may be easily known by 

 the colour of the soil and by the clearance of the surrounding 

 underbrush. 



The Sickle-billed Paradise-bird (Drepanornis cervinicauda) 

 resorts to the same zone, but is very seldom seen. We were 

 unable to sight one, although we heard its call several times 

 during our stay in the mountains. It keeps to the topmost 

 branches of the highest trees, where it pours out its song, 

 which is said to resemble that of the Nightingale. 



At an altitude of 5000 feet we came across the Superb 

 Bird of Paradise (Lophorhina minor). This species flutters 

 about on the highest perches it can find, and looks no larger 

 than a butterfly. It is needless to say that few specimens of 

 it were secured. Its call is similar to that of Parotia lawesi, 

 but is not so strong. The most striking feature of this 

 beautiful little bird is its cape, which it has the power to 

 expand so as to form a half-circle over its back. On Mount 

 Musgrave, at an altitude of 6000 fe^t, we also came across a 

 fine species of Epimachus (E. macleayante). Up to that time 

 only one specimen of this splendid bird was known. This 

 had been discovered two years previously by Mr. Belford, 

 who was at this time one of our party. This specimen had 

 been sent to Sydney, where Dr. Ramsay, of the Australian 

 Museum, had described it. This bird differs materially from 

 Epimachus maximus in that the breast and flank-feathers 

 are of a rusty colour shaded with purple. It inhabits the 

 mountain regions at an altitude of from 6000 to 9000 feet, 

 above which no Paradise-birds were found. The call of 

 E. macleayancn is a shrill double note, similar to the striking 

 of a pair of clappers. 



