152



Stray Notes



raised feathers of the abdomen completing the centre. In the middle

appears a longitudinal, ovate patch of velvet black, bordered above

by a narrow band of dull red, formed by the feathers that ordinarily

clothe the abdomen. The long pendant £ vires ’ rise to half their

length, then droop gracefully downward on either side. The wings are

held tightly closed and the head is turned upward.


“ During the display the body is moved forward and back with the

hips as a fulcrum, and with a violent motion of the body the plumage

is frequently spread to its widest expanse. The white lines of feathers

which border the eye above and below are conspicuously extended,

leaving the bird only a narrow slit through which to peer at the observer.

Throughout the bird sings softly, in a low, grating voice, moving his

head slightly by sharp jerks. This habit of singing, in which the Blue

Bird of Paradise often indulges, when not in full display, seems peculiar

to this species.


“ Taken altogether the display of this bird is a beautiful and

marvellous sight. The rapid vibration of the body causes the brilliant

blues of his plumage to run in waves of colour over the entire filmy

triangle. The dead black spot in the centre is made more conspicuous

by the contrasting colour above it, and when seen under certain lights

appears more like a deep cavity than a mere patch of plumage.”



STRAY NOTES


A New Guinea Collection. —During the past few weeks some

interesting birds have been received at the Zoological Gardens.

Mr. Frost arrived home from his expedition to New Guinea at the end

of August, and in his collection were some fourteen birds of Paradise,

including the Greater, Lesser, Red, King, and Twelve-wired. We were

particularly glad to obtain a fine example of the last species. The

Aru Island Great Kingfisher (Seuromarptes tyro), of which there were

five specimens, is another very acceptable addition to the collection, as

it has apparently never before been imported alive. The Red-bellied

Rail (Eulabeornis castaneiventris), from the Aru Islands, is also new to

the collection, and so is Stephani’s Green-winged Pigeon ( GJialcophaps

stephani) and the Orange-fronted Fruit Pigeon ( Ptilopus aurantiifrons).



