ORDER PASSERES. 341 



that most authors have varied in the number of species which 

 they have thought proper to admit into this subdivision ; 

 others have divided into many genera those species of which 

 so little is knoAvn ; and all, according to their general and 

 laudable custom, have introduced an interesting variety and 

 discrepancy into their nomenclature. To discuss their inge- 

 nious systems, and to reconcile their inconsistencies, we must 

 leave to abler hands, contenting ourselves with the humbler 

 occupation of gleaning such information for, our readers as 

 may not be utterly unworthy of occupying a portion of their 

 time and attention. 



Valentyn, in his voyage to the Indies, says that in the 

 Papuan Islands and New Guinea, there are six species of the 

 birds of Paradise, and that the most common is The Great 

 Bird of Paradise (P. Apoda). It inhabits the Aroo Is- 

 lands in the dry monsoon, and returns to New Guinea in the 

 rainy season. It arrives there in flocks of from thirty to 

 forty, under the guidance of one bird, whose colour is black, 

 with red spots,, which the islanders of Aroo call the king, 

 and which always flies at the head of the troop. They never 

 abandon him, and only rest when he gives the signal. This 

 rest is sometimes fatal to many individuals ; for, in conse- 

 quence of the structure and disposition of their feathers, they 

 rise again with considerable difficulty. 



To this recital Helbigius adds, that the subjects of this 

 pretended king, (whose size does not exceed that of the 

 common sparrow, and who has two long caudal feathers, 

 adorned with eyes at their extremity,) remain immoveable on 

 the tree, where they are assembled together in the evening, 

 until he passes and brings with him the entire troop ; and 

 that if this chief be once pierced with an arrow, those which 

 remain are usually all killed, when day-light continues suffi- 

 ciently long for the purpose. 



Thus far these two worth v Belffians. It is evident that 



