BIRDS-OF-PARADISE — BOWER-BIRDS 



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islands of Waigiou, Batanta, and Ghemien, specially distinguished by the deep 

 carmine plumes on the flanks of the cocks. Another type is represented solely 

 by the king bird-of-paradise (Cicinnurus regitbs), of New Guinea, easily recognised 

 by the two spatula-shaped spiral tail-feathers, with plumes at the tips, of the 

 males. The six-plumed bird-of-paradise (Parotia sexpennis), also a native of 

 the same great island, has two triple plumes of spatula-shaped feathers on the 

 back of the head of the cock ; the standard-winged species (Semioptera wallacei) 

 takes its name from the pair of long white feathers at the bend of each 

 wing, and is further characterised by the pair of long green plumes on the 

 breast. Perhaps, however, the most wonderful member of this wonderful tribe is 

 the Albertis bird-of-paradise (Drepanomis albertisi), in which each side of the 



ALBEETIS BIRD-OF-PARADISE. 



Bower-Birds. 



neck of the cock is adorned with a plume double the length of the body. The 

 genus Epimachus is noteworthy on account of being common to New Guinea 

 (where it is represented by E. nigricans) and Madagascar, the Malagasy bird being 

 the only extra- Australasian member of the group. 



Equally characteristic of the Papuan area, where they are 

 numerously represented, are those near relatives of the birds-of- 

 paradise, the bower-birds, among which the gardener-bird (Amblyornis inornatus) 

 of New Guinea constructs a moss-covered bower generally placed at the foot of 

 some large tree, and about two feet in height. This structure, which is built of 

 orchid-stems, is surrounded by a gallery, and supported by a pillar; the whole 

 having a conical form. In front of the entrance is a small garden, or play-place, 

 carpeted with moss, and ornamented with berries and flowers, which are renewed 

 directly they show signs of withering. A. inornatus and A. subalaris are 



