THE FEATHERS. 63 



splendid variety which might be named; but perhaps the 

 Ptiloris Paradiseus, a bird of New Guinea, little known, is 

 one of the most beautiful. It is impossible for any written 

 description, or even coloured representation, to give an accurate 

 idea of this most splendid creature. Its size is about that of a 

 small pigeon, and its general colour is a deep velvet black, 

 glossed on the upper parts with rich brownish lilac, which in 

 some lights leaves the margin of each feather black, and gives 

 them a scale-like appearance. The whole back part of the 

 head is covered by a crown of smaller scale-like feathers, of a 

 splendid metallic green ; each colour alternately preponderating 

 as the direction of the light is varied. The middle of the 

 throat is occupied by a large patch of the same colour, which, 

 as it approaches the breast, divides and forms a stripe on each 

 side. The chin and breast appear to be of an intense velvety 

 black, but when held in certain lights become glossed with the 

 most beautiful reflections of lilac and purple. The feathers on 

 the body are yet more changeable; in some directions they 

 seem entirely black ; in others this apparent black is mingled 

 with a rich olive green ; while in another position it is brilli- 

 antly reflected and relieved by shades of lilac, purple, and the 

 most vivid green. All this gorgeous apparel, however, is con- 

 fined to the males, the female being clothed in a homely and 

 russet-brown attire, attracting little notice. 



Of a feather's lightness, we may form some idea when we 

 find that the largest quill of a Golden Eagle weighs only sixty- 

 five grains, and that seven such quills do not weigh more than 

 a copper penny-piece ; that the feathers of a common Fowl, 

 which weighs thirty-seven ounces, weigh only three ounces ; 

 and that the entire plumage of an Owl weighs only one ounce 

 and a half. Meant as they are, some for covering and some 

 for strength, we shall find them, on examination, very differ- 

 ently put together. The light downy part, when examined 

 through a microscope, will be found to bear little resemblance 

 to the flat part or blade of the quill. If it were not so, a bird 

 would scarcely be able to fly at all ; for when the flat of the 

 wing was pressed down, the air would pass through it, and 



