44 BIRD OF PARADISE, 



voice, sending forth notes of such power as to be 

 heard at a long distance, and as it would scarcely 

 be supposed so delicate a bird could utter ; 

 these notes are whock, whock^ whock, ivhock, 

 uttered in a barking tone, the last being given 

 in a low note as a conclusion. 



A drawing of the bird, of the natural size, was 

 made by a Chinese artist. This was taken one 

 morning to the original, who paid a compli- 

 ment to the artist, by considering it one of his 

 own species. The bird advanced stedfastly 

 towards the picture, uttering at the same time 

 its cawing congratulatory notes ; it did not ap- 

 pear excited by rage, but pecked gently at the 

 representation, jumping about the perch, knock- 

 ing its mandibles together with a clattering 

 noise, and cleaning them against the perch, as 

 if welcoming the arrival of a companion. 



After the trial with the picture, a looking- 

 glass was brought, to see what effect it would 

 produce upon the bird, and the result was nearly 

 the same ; he regarded the reflection of himself 

 most stedfastly in the mirror, never quitting it 

 during the time it remained before him. When 

 the glass was removed to the lower, from the 

 upper perch, he instantly followed, but would 

 not descend upon the floor of the cage when it 

 was placed so low. 



