BIRDS OF PARADISE 



1507 



glossy, but changing toward the tips into a pale brown. This tuft of plumes can be 

 elevated and spread out at pleasure, so as almost to conceal the body of the bird." 

 In the female the whole of the ornamental plumes are wanting, and the color is a 

 uniform coffee brown. The lesser bird of paradise (P. minor), from New Guinea, 

 and several of the adjacent islands, although considerably smaller, is very similar in 

 general characteristics. 



.,,- 



vHa ^* ...-.4'V ' " '-: ' ''''-_.- --.,-fc. --~v^ .--L- > ^ 





Red Bird of 

 Paradise 



RED BIRD OF PARADISE. 



(One-third natural size.) 



On the other hand, the red bird 



of paradise (P. sanguinea), from 



the islands of Waigiou, Ghemien, 

 and Batanta, is a very distinct form. Measur- 

 ing from thirteen to fourteen inches in length, 

 it has the flank plumes shorter, and of a rich 

 crimson hue, while in structure they are rigid, 



their tips being horny, and nearly white. The forehead, sides of the head, and the 

 whole throat are a brilliant metallic green, with the plumes of a velvety texture; 

 the sides of the neck and entire mantle are bright golden yellow, deepening into 

 orange on the sides of the mantle and the middle of the back; the rump is straw 



