474 



REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



habits. The beak, which is furnished at the base with small feathers 

 pointing forward, is slender, convex, and slightly compressed at 

 the sides. The hypochondrial feathers are broad, elongated, and 

 truncated. 



In the Superb (Paradisea superba, Fig. 194) the beak is fur- 

 nished with elongated feathers, extending half its length ; the feathers 

 of the neck rising just behind the head, expand into a wing-like 

 form. 



Fig. 193. — King Bird of Paradise. 



Fig. 194. — The Superb Bird of Paradi 



In the Golden Bird of Paradise {Paradisea sexsrtacea, Fig. 195) 

 the beak is furnished with short feathers for half its length, and is 

 slender, compressed laterally, notched and curved at the tip ; they 

 have long, broad, and loose plumes covering the sides and abdominal 

 part. It obtains the name of Sifilet, given to it by Buffon, from the 

 three thread-like feathers on each side of the head expanding 'into 

 a lancet shape at the extremity, and which form a very striking 

 ornament. 



The birds which constitute the Crows (Corvidce) are characterised 

 by a very strong beak with cutting edges, broad at the base, flattened 

 laterally, and hooked towards the point ; the nostrils covered with 



