332



Mr. H. D. Astley,



a bright enough red for P. raggiana ? Two of these are hand-

reared, and one of them was found by Mr. Goodfellow in the

form of an egg. The nest was in course of construction, and the

whole process was watched, being built quite low down beneath

the great trees of the forest, as is apparently the usual habit of

these birds, since there are so many birds of prey which would

destroy the young ones in more exposed positions.


Only one egg is laid, and two hen birds were captured

along with their single young birds, so that although the females

of the Paradise Birds are so seldom imported, we are quite

certain of their identity in this case.


The Magnificent Paradise Bird. Nine pairs and a

single hen. In the specimens brought by Mr. Goodfellow, it

seemed to me, although my remarks must not be taken too

seriously, having had little time to examine them closely, that

they are not the bird entitled Diphyllodes magnified (which I

presume to be the type) but either D. seleucides (Lesson’s Paradise

Bird) or D. chrysoptera. Their wings are not orange enough for

D. hunsteini; which in any case, inhabits a different part of

the country.


A very interesting fact with regard to the habits of these

birds is that the males select some small tree, from which they

strip all the leaves, carrying them away, and permitting no refuse

around their playground. On the bared branches the males

display and dance, so that all their beauty can be seen. Mr.

Goodfellow threw some leaves down upon the space that they

had cleared beneath the sapling, and the birds with cries of in¬

dignation removed the offending obstacles.


Of Lawes’ Six-plumed Paradise Bird ( 'Paroiia lawesi )

five pairs and one single male have arrived.


I saw more than one male in full plumage, the racqueted

shafts which spring from the sides of the head, lying over the

shoulders, the beautiful blue eyes shining conspicuously against

the velvety black plumage, and the splendid gorget of golden

emerald green as a burnished breastplate.


Of The Magnificent Rifle-Bird ( Craspedophora mag-

nifica) there were three pairs, but most unfortunately one female

escaped at Bnrrswood and was lost to sight amongst the oak

trees.



