164 KING OF THE BIRDS OF PARADISE. 



These magnificent birds associate in large flocks, and 

 thus flutter through the delightful spicy groves of their 

 native oriental islands. From the rapidity of their flight, 

 as well as from their being continually on the wing, the) 

 are sometimes called the swallow of Ternate. However, 

 as the countries where they breed are periodically visited 

 with storms of thunder and of rain, at such times they are 

 seldom seen ; from which circumstance they are supposed 

 to migrate into other regions. 



About the beginning of August, they collect in great 

 numbers; and, according to the prevailing opinion of the 

 inhabitants of the Moluccas, follow a king among them, 

 who is distinguished from the rest by the vivid beauty of 

 his plumage, and the voluntary homage which they pay 

 him. In the evening they perch on the highest trees of 

 the forest; and particularly on one bearing a red berry, 

 which appears to be their favourite food. The natives, 

 who make a profitable trade in killing and selling them to 

 the curious Europeans, conceal themselves in those trees 

 to which the birds resort ; and, having furnished themselves 

 xvith arrows, exert their utmost art and dexterity to shoot 

 the king ; for, if they succeed in this, the flock becomes 

 an easy prey. 



THE KING OF THE BIRDS OF PARADISE. 



Though every species of these birds has some peculiar 

 beauties, either in its tints or the conformation of its plum- 

 age, the king is universally allowed to be the most sin- 

 gular and worthy of notice. It has, however, been so 

 variously described and figured, that it would be difficult 

 to recognize the real bird, were it not for its general co- 

 lours, and the two long filiform appendages of its tail. 

 According to Sonnerat, (who is the best authority in this 

 respect,) the king is about the size of the European 

 blackbird. The greater part of its external plumage is of 

 a bright and vivid ermine ; and all its colours have a soft 

 and silky appearance, in some parts bearing the gloss of 

 polished metal. The two filaments, or shafts, which pro- 



