1862.] MR. A. R. WALLACE ON BIRDS OF PARADISE. 153 



Hypsipetes. The whole system of coloration is different from that 

 of the latter genus. 



Mr. Leadbeater exhibited a stuffed specimen of a Lesser Bird of 

 Paradise from the collection of Lord Braybrooke, and stated that this 

 individual had been formerly alive in England, at Windsor Castle, 

 in the possession of the late Princess Augusta. 



May 27, 1862. 



Professor Huxley, F.R.S., V.P., in the Chair. 



Mr. T. W. Wood made some remarks on the peculiarities of the 

 habits of the Pinnated Grouse {Tetrao cupido), as displayed by the 

 individuals of this species now living in the Society's Gardens, and 

 exhibited some drawings of the male bird in the attitude assumed 

 whilst setting his feathers. 



The following papers were read : — 



1. Narrative of Search after Birds of Paradise. 

 By Alfred R. Wallace, F.Z.S. 



Having visited most of the islands inhabited by the Paradisece, 

 in the hope of obtaining good specimens of those extraordinary 

 birds, and some knowledge of their habits and distribution, I have 

 thought that an outline of my several voyages, with the causes that 

 have led to their only partial success, might not prove uninteresting. 



At the close of the year 1856, being then at Macassar in the island 

 of Celebes, I was introduced to the master of a prau trading to the 

 Aru Islands, who assured me that two sorts of Birds of Paradise were 

 abundant there, the large yellow and the small red kinds — the Para- 

 disece apoda and 7'egia of naturalists. 



He seemed to think there was no doubt but I could obtain them 

 either by purchase from the natives or by shooting them myself. 

 Thus encouraged, I agreed with him for a passage there and back 

 (his stay being six months), and made all my preparations to start 

 by the middle of December. 



Our vessel was a Malay prau of about 100 tons burthen, but dif- 

 fering widely from anything to be seen in European waters. The 

 deck sloped downwards towards the bows, the two rudders were hung 

 by rattans and ropes on the quarters, the masts were triangles stand- 

 ing on the decks, and the huge mat sail, considerably longer than the 

 vessel, with its yard of bamboos, rose upwards at a great angle, so as 

 to make up for the lowness of the mast. In this strange vessel, 

 which, under very favourable circumstances, plunged along at nearly 



