BIRDS OF NEW GUINEA 
titious roots which spring clear of the ground to a 
height of sixty feet, and then throw out flag leaves in 
the shape of an umbrella. From the umbrella top 
hang fine clusters of scarlet fruit. The decomposition 
of the vegetable matter at the point where the leaves 
stretch out gives refuge to the pupe of beetles of 
many diverse species, and these prove a great attrac- 
tion to the blue bird-of-paradise, who finds them 
excellent eating. ‘The bird is about the size of a jay, 
and is very gorgeous. The upper part of its wings 
is a sky blue; the side plumes are in gradations of 
brilliant greenish blue and ultramarine’; when the 
plumes are spread there is also a band of brown 
feathers. The head resembles that of the common 
crow, but is smaller. From the upper part of the tail 
spring two elongated feathers with two light-blue 
spatule at the tips. In the same pandanus tree lives 
also the Astrapia stephaniz, remarkable for its long 
tail, with two violet feathers and a white shaft. The 
upper part of this bird’s breast is a most brilliant 
green, with a band of copper below. In one light it 
appears shaded with violet. The back of the head is 
violet with gold iridescence. ‘The whole length of the 
bird is 2 feet 6 inches. 
Equally wonderful is the bower-bird, at once 
gardener, architect, and artist. Not only does it build 
the most extraordinary nest known to naturalists—a 
long, tunnel-like bower framed like a delicate Gothic 
arch, but it actually lays out a garden. I have myself 
seen the creature's marvellous achievement. It has 
definite colour-sense, for it picks the blossoms of 
orchids, and arranges them in alternate lines of mauve 
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