25O CASSELL S BOOK OF BIRDS. 



made by a Chinese artist. This was taken one morning to the original, who paid a compliment to the 

 artist by considering it one of his own species. The bird advanced towards the picture, uttering at the 

 same time its cawing, congratulatory notes ; it did not appear excited by rage, but pecked gently at the 

 representation, jumping about the perch, knocking its mandibles together with a chattering noise, and 

 cleaning them against the perch, as if welcoming the arrival of a companion. After the trial with the 

 picture a looking-glass was brought, to see what effect it would produce upon the bird, and the result 

 was nearly the same ; he regarded the reflection of himself most steadfastly in the mirror, never quitting 

 it during the time it remained before him. AVhen the glass was removed to the lower from the upper 

 perch he instantly followed, but would not descend upon the floor of the cage when it was placed 

 so low. It seemed impatient, hopping about without withdrawing its gaze from the mirror, uttering 

 the usual cawing notes, but with evident surprise that the reflected figure (or, as he seemed to regard 

 it, his opponent) imitated so closely all his actions, and was as watchful as himself. There was, how- 

 ever, on his part no indication of combativeness by any elevation of his feathers, nor was any irritation 

 displayed at not being able to approach nearer to the supposed new comer from his own native land. 

 His attention was directed to the mirror during the time it remained before him, but when removed he 

 went quietly and composed himself upon the upper perch as if nothing had excited him. One of the 

 best opportunities of seeing this bird in all its beauty of action as well as display of plumage is early in 

 the morning, when he makes his toilet ; the beautiful sub-alar plumage is then thrown out and cleaned 

 from any spot that may sully its purity by being gently passed through the bill ; the short, chocolate- 

 coloured wings are extended to the utmost, and he keeps them in a steady flapping motion, as if in 

 imitation of their use in flight, at the same time raising up the delicate long feathers over the back, 

 which are spread in a chaste and elegant manner, floating like films in the ambient air. When it has 

 picked and thoroughly cleaned its feathers, elevating its tail and long shaft feathers, it raises the delicate 

 plumage of a similar character to the sub-alar, forming a beautiful crest, and throwing up its feathers with 

 much grace, appears as proud as a lady in her full ball dress. His prehensile power in the feet is very 

 strong, and, still retaining his hold, the bird will turn himself round on his perch. He delights to be 

 sheltered from the glare of the sun, as that luminary is a great source of annoyance to him if permitted 

 to dart its fervid rays directly upon the cage. This bird is not at all ravenous, but eats rice leisurely, 

 almost grain by grain." 



THE KING OF THE BIRDS OF PARADISE. 



The King of the Birds of Paradise {Cincimmrus regius) may be selected as representing the 

 SPIRAL TAILS (Cincin?iurus),as the various species composing the second group of this family have 

 been called. In size it is inferior to any of its congeners as yet described ; it is, moreover, distinguished 

 from them by the delicacy of its beak and by the less remarkable development of the plumes with which 

 its sides are adorned. The two centre tail-feathers twine like the tendrils of a vine, and are entirely 

 without a web, except at their extremity, which is furnished with a wheel-like feathery expansion. The 

 male of this species is of a ruby red upon the upper portions of the body ; the brow and top of the 

 head are orange, the throat yellow, and the belly greyish white ; the eyes are surmounted by a small 

 black spot, and a band of metallic green divides the dark-coloured breast from the shades upon the 

 belly ; the feathers upon the sides are grey, marked with irregular white and red lines, and terminate 

 in a bright emerald green tip. The female is reddish brown upon the upper part of the body, and 

 below of a reddish yellow streaked with brown ; the wings are gold colour, the beak is dark brown, and 

 the feet light blue. 



This species is found over a larger extent of country than any other member of its family, 

 occupying not only a large portion of North Guinea, but most of the surrounding islands, where it 



