BY JOHN REINHOLD FORSTER, LL. D. ly 



it his Mamcode. Valentyne (vol. iii. p. 306, 313.) has treated at 

 length of the Birds of Paradije. The Portugueje firft faw them in 

 Gilolo, Papua, and New Guinea. Many idle fables have been 

 propagated concerning thefe birds j among which are to be 

 reckoned, that they have no feet, are always on the wing, pais . 

 their lives in the air and feed on this element j on which account 

 the inhabitants of thefe countries are accuftomed to cut off their 

 feet. But the people of the Jru iflands have taught the Dutch in 

 Banda better j and it is found that the feet are cut off in order 

 that the birds may be more eafily preferved dry. The Lidians, 

 too, pay little regard to the feet, becaufe they ufe the fkins of the 

 Birds of Paradife only to adorn their helmets in their games and 

 mode combats. But the Aruans, 70 or 80 years ago, brought 

 thefe birds with their feet. Pigafetta, who accompanied Ferdi- 

 nand Magalhaens in his voyage, teftified from ocular demonftra- 

 tion, about 1525, that they were not without feet. But the 

 length and peculiar ftru6ture of the fcapular feathers, prevent 

 them from fitting on trees in windy weather ; and" if they are 

 once blown down to the ground, they are utterly unable to raife 

 themfelves again by their wings. When taken by the natives, 

 they are immediately killed, becaufe their food is unknown, 

 and they defend themfelves courageoufly v/ith their very llrong 

 beaks. 



Of the Birds of Paradife there are about fix Ipecies*. 



I. The grent Paradife-Mrd of Jru. 



a. The leffer Paradife-hird of Papua. 



3. and 4, Two black fpecies. 



• The Faunula will produce many more. 



D 5. The 



