THE PERCHING BIRDS 



119 



resembling velvet. The throat-feathers have a scaly appearance, and are emerald-green in colour. 

 The flank-feathers on either side of the body form a dense mass of long, delicate, waving 

 plumes, sometimes 2 feet in length, of an intense orange colour, and shining with a wonderful 

 gloss. These feathers can be raised and spread out at pleasure, so as to almost conceal the 

 wearer in a fountain-like rain of feathers. This wonderful plumage is worn by the male only, 

 the female being quite plainly dressed. In May, when they are in full dress, the males 



Phet, by C. Rtid] 



A PAIR OF MAGPIES 



taken young, the magpie is easily tamed, and can be taught to imitate human sounds 



[trishaw, M B. 



assemble early in the morning to exhibit themselves, forming what are known as " dancing- 

 parties," which take place on the topmost boughs of some giant tree. " From a dozen to twenty 

 birds assemble together," writes Mr. Alfred Russell Wallace, " raise up their wings, stretch' out 

 their necks, and elevate their exquisite plumes, keeping them in continual vibration. Between- 

 whiles they fly across from branch to branch in great excitement, so that the whole tree is 

 filled with waving plumes in every variety of attitude and motion." The native hunter marks 

 these playing-places, builds a shelter of palm-leaves in a convenient situation among the branches, 

 and ensconces himself under it before daylight, armed with a bow and a number of arrows 

 terminating in a round knob. When the dance is in full swing, he shoots through the roof of 

 his shelter with the blunt arrows, stunning every bird he strikes, which, falling down at once, 

 are immediately picked up by a boy in waiting below. Often a considerable number will be 

 thus secured before the alarm is taken. 



Without coloured figures, or very numerous photographs from living birds, which we 

 can hardly hope to get, it would be impossible, except at the risk of being wearisome, to 

 describe all the wonderful combinations of form and colour which the feathers of the birds of 

 paradise display. Breast-shields of metallic sheen, fans and crests in wonderful variety, feathers 

 of a texture like velvet, or gorgeous colours, confuse one in their variety and combination. 



