ASTEAPIA NIGRA. 



the increase of our knowledge of the world's contents, and also to the advancement of science; for although 

 among the smallest of European governments, yet Holland has always been foremost in well-directed expeditions 

 that should bring to light the products of distant portions of the globe. Although M. von Rosenburg reached 

 the mountains, and advanced a considerable distance up their rugged sides, yet, from the great amount of rain 

 and other difficulties which beset his path, he did not accomplish as much as he had hoped or expected. 

 Still he procured several species new to science, and, above all, shot and sent to Ley den perfect specimens 

 of many of the Birds of Paradise residing in that inhospitable region, which we had only known 

 previously by the mutilated skins of native preparation. Among these Paradiseidae was the present species; but, 

 whether on account of its being very rare in the full dress, or that it was not the proper season of the year for 

 them to appear in nuptial plumage, M. von Rosenburg did not succeed in procuring the male in the gorgeous 

 livery here represented in the principal figure, but only apparently young birds in the more sombre colours of 

 the second figure in the Plate. I am not aware that any knowledge was obtained regarding the economy and 

 habits of this species, which would be of the greatest interest to naturalists ; for up to the present time, of 

 any true Bird of Paradise (to which family we may, without doubt, consider the Astrapia nigra to belong), 

 the egg is still unknown and a great desideratum in our museums. Although the male is so gaily attired, the 

 female is a bird of very ordinary appearance, of sombre hues, and entirely destitute of any brilliant or metallic 

 colour. 



Male. — Top of head and forehead black, with purple reflections. Feathers around the eyes and cheeks elongated, 

 forming a semicircular crest, velvety black with purple reflections. Lengthened nuchal crest, filling up the space 

 between those on side of the head, brown at base, broadly tipped with brilliant iridescent green. Back and upper 

 tail-coverts rich purple. Wings purple, with green reflections. Primaries black. Feathers of throat and chin 

 greatly elongated, those of the latter extending forward and almost conceahng the lower mandible, velvety black 

 with purple reflections. Upper part of breast purplish black. A band of feathers commencing behind and 

 beneath the eye, passing across the breast, and encircling the purplish black of the upper portion, brilliant fiery 

 red, shining like a flame. Underparts rich deep green. Tail composed of twelve broad feathers very much 

 lengthened, crimped on lower side. The two central ones lustrous purple ; remaining ones purplish black. 

 The bill, feet, and tarsi are jet-black. 



Female. — Head black, with a purple gloss. Upper parts brownish black, with purple reflections. Wings lustrous 

 black, with purple lights. Underparts velvety black, with purple reflections. Tail shorter than that of the male, 

 has two median feathers dark brown, with purple gloss, remainder light brown. Bill, feet, and tarsi black. 



Young male. — Head, throat, upper part of breast glossy black. Back and upper tail-coverts brownish black. 

 Primaries and secondaries hght brown, rufous on the edge of the outer webs. Abdomen, flanks, and under 

 tail-coverts brownish black, barred irregularly with brownish white, inclined to rufous on the under tail-coverts. 

 Tail-feathers long ; two central ones dark brown ; remaining ones light brown. Bill, feet, and legs jet-black. 



