THE BIRD-OF-PARADISE. S21 



Of whom hath cupidity artful and bold, 

 Yet in mystery's cant, many falsities told. 



improbable tales were formerly related concerning this bird. 

 Thus sings Camoens : 



" The golden birds that ever sail the skies, 

 Here to the sun display their shining dyes; 

 Each want supplied on air they ever soar ; 

 The ground they touch not till they breathe no more." 



The Lusiad, by Mickle. 



From their food being moths and butterflies, and, perhaps, 

 the nectar of flowers, they are doubtless a good deal on the 

 wing ; but there appears no reason whatever to suppose that 

 their manner of incubation and resting is different from other 

 birds. 



The most remarkable features of this species are about forty 

 or fifty long feathers, which spring from each side below the 

 wing, and, mingling below the tail, augment the apparent size of 

 the animal, without adding any thing to its weight. It is about 

 the size of a thrush, but its feathers make it appear much larger 

 than that bird. In some parts of India, the feathers fetch a 

 great price, being worn as ornaments of dress. 



These birds were formerly brought to this country without 

 feet, the policy of the foreign dealers in them most probably in- 

 duced the abstraction of those signs which lead very often to 

 the habits and manners of the bird. Hence also the more ready 

 belief in the tales propagated concerning them ; and hence, too, 

 the specific name Apoda, without feet, very improperly applied 

 to these birds by European naturalists. 



The Regia, or KiNG-of-the-BiRDs-OF-PARADiSE, is a ches- 

 nut-purple, beneath whitish ; a green-gold band on the breast ; 

 from five to seven inches long; solitary. Inhabits the same 

 countries as the last. 



