PASSERINZE. 281 
of several other genera, gives a velvet tissue to the feathers which cover 
these nostrils, and frequently a metallic lustre, at the same time that it 
singularly developes the feathers which cover several parts of the body. 
They are natives of New Guinea and of the adjoining islands; and as it 
is difficult to obtain them except from the savage inhabitants of those 
countries, who prepare them for the purpose of plumes by cutting off the 
wings and feet, it was thought for some time that the first species was 
really destitute of those members, and lived constantly in air, supporting 
itself there by its long feathers. Some travellers, however, having suc- 
ceeded in obtaining perfect individuals of certain species, it is now known 
that their feet and wings indicate their claim to the place we have assigned 
to them. ‘They are said to live on fruits, and to be particularly fond of 
aromatics. 
The feathers on the flanks of some of them are silky, and singularly 
extended into bunches longer than the body, which give such a hold to 
the wind that they are very often swept away by it. There are also two 
bearded filaments adhering to the rump, which are as long, and even 
longer than the feathers on the flanks * 
P. apoda, L.; Enl. 254; Vaill. Ois. de Par. pl. 1; Vieill. Ois. 
de Par. pl. 1. (The Emerald Bird of Paradise, the most anciently 
celebrated). Size of a thrush; maronne; top of the head and neck 
yellow; circumference of the bill and throat of an emerald green. 
It is the male of this species which is ornamented with those long 
bundles of yellowish feathers, employed by the ladies as plumes. 
There is a somewhat smaller race. 
P. rubra, Vaill. pl. 6; Vieill. pl. 38. The fascicles’of flank fea- 
thers of a beautiful red, and the filaments broader and concave on 
one side. 
In others we still find the filaments, but the feathers on the flanks, 
although somewhat elongated, do not extend beyond the tail. 
P. regia, Enl. 496; Vaill. 7; Vieill. 5, and Galer. 96. (The 
Manucode(a).) Size of a finch; a fine purple maronne; white belly; 
a band across the breast, the tips of the flank-feathers, and the barbs 
which widen the extremities of the two long filaments, emerald- 
greeny. 
P. magnifica; Sonnerat, 98; Enl. 631; Vaill. 9; Vieill. 4. 
Maronne above; green beneath and on the flanks: quills of the 
wings yellow; a fascicle of straw-coloured feathers on each side of 
the neck, another of a deeper yellow opposite to the fold of the wing. 
Some have the slender feathers on the flanks, but they are short, and 
the filaments on the rump are wanting. 
P. aurea, Gm.; P. sexsetacea, Shaw; Sonnerat, pl. 97; Enl. 
635; Vaill. 12; Vieill. 6, and Galer.97. Size of a Thrush; black; 
* M. Vieillot has made a genus of my first division, which he calls SAMALIA. 
+ Vieillot makes his genus Cincinnurus of this species, 
KF (a) Manucodervata signifies, it is said, at the Moluccas, bird of God. This 
title is common to all the birds of Paradise. 
VOL. I. AA 
