

TWELVE-THREAD EPniACB.VS.--Epimachus albm. 



violet of the back and wings. The tail is short in comparison with the dimensions of the 

 bird. From the back and the rump spring a number of long silken plumes of a snowy 

 white colour, and a loose downy structure that causes them to wave gracefully in the air 

 at the slightest breeze. Six of these lower plumes at each side are furnished ^\dt]l long, 

 black, thread-like prolongations of the shaft, a pecuharity which has earned for the 

 bird its title of Twelve-thread. 



Albino specimens of tliis bird have been found, in which the entire plumage was of 

 the same snowy white as the downy plumes. 



In attempting to describe these gorgeously-decorated creatures, it is impossible to 

 avoid a feeling of dissatisfaction when mentally comparing the wondrous beauty of the 

 beings imder consideration and the imperfect words in which the ^vriter has endeavoured 

 to portray their beauties. Even with the assistance of colour, any idea that can be given 

 of these birds would necessarily be very imperfect, and the most admirable illustrations 

 that ever were drawn, rich in ultramarine, carmine, and gold, would " pale their ineffectual 

 fires" even before the stiff and distorted form of the stuffed bird. Yet that very stuffed 

 semblance of the living creature fails egregiously in reproducing the bird as it was 

 during life, as every one must have observed who has visited a museum. 



Putting aside the inevitable shrinking and darkening of the soft parts about the head, 

 legs, and claws, which change from their natural forms into dry and shrivelled pieces of 

 dull, black parchment, the feathers always present an unsightly staring appearance ; and 

 there is no taxidermist whose hand, be it ever so skilful, can give to the stuffed creature 

 the exquisite swell and rounding of the various parts, and that air and carriage of the 

 body which is so indicative of the character. Not only is this the case with the stuffed 



