BIRDS. 



187 



eluded that it could live only in air, where legs were unnecessary. 

 The extraordinary splendour of its plumage assisted this decep- 

 tion ; and, as it had heaveidy beauty, so it was asserted to have 

 a heavenly residence. From thence its name, and all the false 

 reports that have been propagated concerning it. 



Error, however, is short-lived ; and time has discovered that 

 this bird not only has legs, but very large strong ones for its size. 

 Credulity, when undeceived, runs into the opposite extreme ; 

 and soon after this harmless bird was branded with the character 

 of being rapacious, of destroying all those of smaller size, and 

 from the amazing rapidity of its flight, as qualified peculiarly for 

 extensive rapine. The real history of this pretty animal is at 

 present tolerably well known ; and it is found to be as harmless 

 as it is beautiful. 



There are two kinds of the bird of Paradise; one about the 

 size of a pigeon, which is more common ; the other not much 

 larger than a lark, \\hich has been described more imperfectly. 

 They are both sufficiently distinguished from all other birds, not 

 only by the superior vivacity of their tints, but by the feathers 

 of the tail, there being two long slender filaments growing from 

 the upper part of the rump ; these are longer than the bird's 

 body, and bearded only at the end. By this mark the bird of 

 Paradise may be easily known, but still more easily by its gaudy 

 livery, which, being so very brilliant, demands to be minutely 

 described. 



This bird appears to the eye as large as a pigeon, though in 

 reality the body is not much greater than that of a thrush. The 

 tail, which is about six inches, is as long as the body ; the wings 

 are large, compared with the bird's other dimensions. The 

 head, the throat, and the neck, are of a pale gold colour. The 

 base of the bill is surrounded by black feathers, as also the side 

 of the head and throat, as soft as velvet, and changeable like 

 those on the neck of a mallard. The hinder part of the head 

 is of a shining green, mixed with gold. The body and wings 

 are chiefly covered vi'ith beautiful brown, purple, and gold fea- 

 thers. The uppermost part of the tail-feathers are of a pale 

 yellow, and those under them white, and longer than the former ; 

 for which reason the hinder part of the tail ajjpears to be all 

 white. But what chiefly excites curiosity arc, tiie two long 

 naked feathers above mentioned, which spring from the ujipei- 



