RAVENS. 



2 53 



preparation for sale by the 

 natives, that we believe no 

 perfect specimen has as yet 

 been brought to Europe. 

 Rosenberg tells us that it 

 inhabits New Guinea, but is 

 never seen upon the sur- 

 rounding islands. 



Some naturalists place *9I 

 among the Birds of Para- 

 dise two species, of which 

 we know very little, that 

 have been named the 



MAGPIE BIRDS OF 

 PARADISE {Astrapice) ; 

 others regard them as be- 

 longing to the Thrushes, as they resemble these latter 

 birds in the construction of their beak, which is 

 straight, and slightly flattened in front of its apex ; its 

 base, moreover, is unfurnished either with bristles or 

 velvety feathers ; the tail is long, and distinctly 

 graduated ; the wings are of moderate size, and the 

 legs powerful ; both sides of the head are adorned 

 with a tuft of feathers which incline outwards. Les- 

 son and other naturalists say that it is impossible to 

 describe the beauty and brilliancy of these glorious 

 creatures by any selection of words. The plumage, 

 which is purple black on the upper part of the body, 

 gleams with metallic splendour. The plumes upon 

 the head are blueish red, tipped with emerald green ; 

 the whole of the lower parts of the body are malachite 

 green ; a reddish violet streak passes from the corner 

 of the eyes in a semicircle down to the throat ; the 

 legs and beak are black. When seen in the full sun- 

 light these gorgeous birds appear to gleam with every 

 conceivable effect and variety of the most brilliant 

 colours ; their length is about two feet and a quarter. 

 We learn from Rosenberg that the Paradise Magpie is 

 found exclusively upon the tolerably large island 01 

 Obi, near Gilwick Bay, but he gives us no particulars 

 as to its life and habits, as he was unable either to 

 observe it in the wild state or to obtain a living 

 specimen. 



the maiu'ik wrd of paradise (Astraftia gtilarts). 



