BIRD OF PARADISE. 



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the coast. It was for a long time believed, by ignorant 

 persons, that they had no legs, for they were never seen 

 alive, excepting when flying across from one island to 

 another, the natives always bringing dead specimens 

 for sale, without the legs, possibly because they thought 

 they looked better without them, in many species the 

 leg being coarse, and unbecoming a bird in every other 

 respect so exquisitely beautiful. It is quite impossible 

 describe their beauty, or give even a faint idea of it 

 without coloured representations ; and few of the most 

 favoured of the feathered race can rival them in the 

 gorgeous variety and singularity of their splendid dress. 

 Some are ornamented with light projecting tufts, of a 

 fine downy substance, while others have plumes and 

 tendrils flying out in every direction, like pennants and. 

 streamers, while their bodies glisten with the most daz- 

 zling and resplendent hues, changing from crimson and 

 gold to the most delicate green or purple, according as 

 the sun's rays fall upon the feathers. It is said that 

 they frequent the most retired spots of the thick woods 

 of their native country. If so, it is difficult to conceive 

 how they can 

 move amongst 

 close and en- 

 tangled boughs, 

 without injuring 

 their loose and 

 delicate robe of 

 plumage ; or, for 

 what purpose 

 Providence has 

 so fancifully and 

 profusely deco- 

 rated them with 

 ornaments ap- 

 parently so in- - 

 Convenient. Great Bird of Paradise. 



