64 THE FEATHERS. 



which soars to an amazing height, when almost out of sight 

 utters a note which is so distinctly heard, that an experienced 

 sportsman would imagine it to be close at hand. 



From the notes and voice of birds, we will next proceed 

 to their feathers and wings. A more beautiful, light, and 

 compact piece of machinery, or more perfectly adapted for 

 the purposes for which it is intended, cannot be conceived, 

 than a feather. For beauty, look to the colours and shades 

 presented by the glossy plumage of our Peacocks and Phea- 

 sants, with which everybody is familiar ; but their colours, 

 beautiful and brilliant as they are, shrink into insignificance 

 compared with the dazzling coverings of many others, found 

 only in the hotter climates of the globe. It is difficult to 

 make a selection amongst the splendid variety which might 

 be named ; but perhaps the Ptiloris Paradiscus, a bird of 

 New Guinea, little known, is one of the most beautiful. It 

 is impossible for any written description, or even coloured 

 representation, to give an accurate idea of this most splendid 

 creature. Its size is about that of a small pigeon, and its 

 general colour is a deep velvet black, glossed on the upper 

 parts with rich brownish lilac, which in some lights leaves 

 the margin of each feather black, and gives them a scale-like 

 appearance. The whole back part of the head is covered by 

 a crown of smaller scale-like feathers, of a splendid metallic 

 green; each colour alternately preponderating, as the direction 

 of the light is varied. The middle of the throat is occupied 

 by a large patch of the same colour, which, as it approaches 

 the breast, divides and forms a stripe on each side. The 

 chin and breast appear to be of an intense velvety black, but 

 when held in certain lights, become glossed with the most 

 beautiful reflections of lilac and purple. The feathers on 

 the body are yet more changeable ; in some directions, they 

 seem entirely black; in others, this apparent black is 

 mingled with a rich olive green ; while in another position 

 it is brilliantly reflected and relieved by shades of lilac, 

 purple, and the most vivid green. All this gorgeous ap- 

 parel, however, is confined to the males, the female being 

 -clothed in a homely and russet-brown attire, attracting little 

 notice. % 



