BIRDS OF PARADISE. 



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the sides of the breast are, when closed, grey, shot with a violet tint ; but when 

 spread they form almost a semicircle round the body, and in certain lights shine 



1 









GORGET BIRD OF PARADISE (f nat. size). 



like gold, in others like fire. Long feathers 

 of a greyish violet colour grow from the sides, 

 their edges being of a metallic violet lustre. 

 The upper-parts of the wing and tail-feathers 

 are of a darkish yellow, as are those of the 

 back, but sometimes of a still darker hue. 

 The feathers of the throat are black, shading 

 off into olive colour ; those of the breast of 

 a greyish purple, with an olive band; the 

 abdomen is white. The beak is black, the 

 eyes chestnut, and the feet dark lead-colour. 

 When the bird raises the long feathers on his 

 sides and breast, they form two semicircles, 

 and he presents as extraordinary and beauti- 

 ful a sight as one could behold." The female 

 of this Papuan species is chestnut above, and 

 yellower beneath. 



