THE BIRD OF PARADISE. 





Emerald Bird of Paradise, female. 



Golden Bird of Paradise. 



The Birds of Paradise are natives of New Guinea, and the adjacent islands, and consist of a number of 

 species, but the best known is the Great, or Emerald Bird of Paradise, about the size of a Thrush. The 



wings are large, compared with the bird's other dimensions ; 

 the feathers of the hinder part of the breast and belly are 

 singularly extended into bunches, longer than the body ; and 

 the tail, measuring six inches, is of equal length with it ; but 

 what chiefly attracts notice is two naked filaments, which 

 spring from above the tail, and are two feet long, of a deep 

 black color, bearded at the insertion and at the point, with 

 downy feathers of a changeable hue. The female is without 

 these floating plumes of the male. These birds are gregari- 

 ous, always seen in large flocks, and perching at night upon 

 the same tree. They live on fruits, and are said to be par- 

 ticularly fond of aromatics. It has a cry like that of the 

 starling. These birds are killed by the natives with blunt 

 arrows, and sold to the Europeans ; but as this forms a lucra- 

 tive kind of merchandise, the " virtuous" Chinese fabricate 

 specimens of these celestial fowls, of the feathers of Parrots 

 and Parrakeets, which they sell to strangers, and by which 

 craft they make great gain. 



The Golden Bird of Paradise is another species, remark- 

 able for the golden lined feathers of its throat, and the long, 

 slender feathers, or filaments, which ornament its head. 



The Incomparable is distinguished by a tail three times 

 longer than the body, by a double crest on the head, and by 

 incomparable magnificence of plumage. 



The Superb Bird of Paradise is remarkable as having at- 

 tached to its shoulders a long spreading plume, capable of 

 being erected at pleasure. On its breast are two pointed lap- 

 pets. With the exception of these, the piumage is velvet 

 black, reflecting green and violet. 



Emerald Bird of Paradise, male. 



("247") 



