46 BIRDS THAT NO WHITE MAN HAS SEEN. 



ber of shaft-like feathers springing from its head. 

 Its breast is a brilliant yellow, which changes into 

 green and blue every minute. The band of 

 feathers on the back of the head shine and sparkle 

 like precious stones ; and over the forehead is a 

 patch of white that shines like satin. The six 

 feathers or shafts are the most wonderful part of 

 its appearance, and when alive it must baffle 

 description. But it is rarely seen, and its dry 

 and shrunk skin is all the European can obtain. 



I must not omit to mention an entirely new 

 specimen, found by Mr. Wallace himself, and 

 named after him. It is called Standard Wing ; 

 and besides the usual gorgeous colours in which it 

 is dressed, it has a pair of long feathers springing 

 from the wings, and which are in no other species. 

 The bird is met with in the Spice Islands, and 

 clings to the branch of the tree as the Woodpecker 

 does. It has a harsh creaking note, like the creak 

 of a gate. The long feathers, I should tell you, 

 are of a white colour, and can be raised or lowered 

 at pleasure. From them, the bird has its name 

 of Standard Wing. 



