654 



THE TROPICAL WORLD. 



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- 

 ments of plumage which are unequaled by any other family of birds. In several 



NATIVES OF ARU 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 fantastic shapes, or adorned with 

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



