654 THE TROPICAL WOULD. 



males ; the females being throughout very plain looking personages. '• The Birds of 

 Paradise," he says, "are a group of moderate-sized birds, allied in structure and 

 habits to crows and starlings; but they are characterized by extraordinary develop- 

 meats of plumage which are uncqualed by any other family of birds. In several 



NATIVES OF AUU SHOOTING THE GREAT BIRD OF PARADISE. 



species large tufts of delicate, bright-colored feathers spring from each side of the body ' 

 beneath the wings, forming trains, fans, or shields ; and the middle feathers of the tail 

 are often elongated into wires, twisted into the most fiintastic shapes, or adorned with 

 the most brilliant metallic tints. In another set of species these accessory plumes 



