400 THE BIRDS OF PARADISE. [ch. xxxvi ii. 



Paradise Birds have not acquired their distinctive plumage 

 by successive variations, but have been as they are now 

 from the moment they first appeared upon the earth, this 

 succession becomes at the least unintelligible to us, for we 

 can see no reason why the changes should not take place 

 simultaneously, or in a reverse order to that in which they 

 actually occur. 



What is known of the habits of this bird, and the way 

 in which it is captured by the natives, have already been 

 described at page 362. 



The Eed Bird of Paradise offers a remarkable case of 

 restricted range, being entirely confined to the small island 

 of Waigiou, off the north-west extremity of New Guinea, 

 Avhere it replaces the allied species found in the other 

 islands. 



The three birds just described form a well-marked 

 group, agreeing in every point of general structure, in their 

 comparatively large size, the brown colour of their bodies, 

 wings, and tail, and in the peculiar character of the orna- 

 mental plumage which distinguishes the male bird. The 

 group ranges nearly over the whole area inhabited by the 

 family of the Paradiseidse, but each of the species has its 

 own limited region, and is never found in the same district 

 with either of its close allies. To these three birds pro- 

 perly belongs the generic title Paradisea, or true Paradise 

 Bird. 



