40 BIRD OF PARADISE. 



flight constantly against it, cautious not to ven- 

 ture out in hard-blowing weather, inasmuch as a 

 strong gale frequently obliges them to fall to 

 the ground. It is also stated, that in Aroo, these 

 birds settle on the highest trees, especially on a 

 species of small-leaved Waringa trees, that bear 

 red berries, on which they chiefly live. (Ficus 

 Benjamina ? Hort. Malab. 3. f. 55. Rumph. 

 Amboyn. 3. f. 90.) The natives catch them with 

 birdlime*: and in nooses, or shoot them with 

 blunt arrows ; but though some are still alive, 

 when they fall into their hands, the catchers kill 

 them immediately ; and often cut their legs off", 

 draw the entrails, dry and fumigate them with 

 sulphur, or smoke only.f 



For the delicacy and harmony in the arrange- 

 ment of the colours in this bird, as well as its 

 remarkably light and delicate appearance, it 

 may well be named the Bird of the Sun, or of 

 Paradise, for it surpasses in beauty the whole of 

 the feathered creation, appearing more like a 

 celestial inhabitant than one of earth. Although 

 the bird has been nine years in Mr. Beale's 

 aviary, yet it does not exhibit the appearance 

 of age, but is lively and healthy. 



* Made from the milky juice yielded by the trunk of the 

 Sukun, or bread-fruit tree. 



j- Forrest's Voyage to New Guinefi, &c., pp. 134 — 137. 



