PREFACE. 



The Birds of Paradise having always attracted me by their strange forms and brilliant plumage, I was led to select 

 them as the subject of my fourth illustrated Monograph. It is only within the last two or three years that a work 

 like the present could have been published in a similar manner ; for, although the greater number of the species 

 contained in it have been known to naturalists for a considerable period of time, yet the preserved skins reached Europe 

 in such a mutilated condition that no correct idea could be formed of the birds' appearance in life. Recently, how- 

 ever, through the efforts of enterprising collectors, assisted and encouraged in some cases by their respective govern- 

 ments, the skins of all the known species, with, perhaps, only one or two exceptions, have been forwarded to 

 Europe in perfect condition ; and an opportunity has thus been afforded to represent the birds as they appear in 

 their native wilds. Among those who have endeavoured in every manner to advance and benefit the cause of 

 science, I may cite as a notable example the Government of Holland, whose Museum at Leyden is at present 

 unequalled, and whose collectors in the Indian archipelago have, among other most valuable novelties, forwarded 

 many species of Birds of Paradise heretofore unknown in their perfect state. To Prof. Schlegel, therefore, the 

 Director of the Museum named above, I am under the pleasing obligation of acknowledging the valuable assistance 

 received from him in the publication of this work ; for he permitted me to bring to London such specimens 

 as were required to be figured for it and were not otherwise obtainable. Mr. Gould, in London, and the late 

 M. J. P. Verreaux, in Paris, who possessed specimens of birds of this family that were not represented in my 

 own collection at the time they were required, most kindly placed them at my service ; and although I have 

 endeavoured in all cases to acknowledge my indebtedness to these gentlemen in the articles accompanying the 

 various species, yet I am happy to take this opportunity of renewing my thanks. To Dr. P. L. Sclater, who 

 placed in my hands to be figured for this work the new species described by him, I am greatly obliged. To Mr. 

 F. H. Waterhouse, the efficient Librarian of the Zoological Society, I am under many obligations for his uniform 

 civility and attention whenever I desired to consult the books under his charge. 



The drawings executed by Mr. Wolf will, I am sure, receive the admiration of those who see them ; for, like 

 all that artist's productions, they cannot be surpassed, if equalled, at the present time. Mr. J. Smit has lithographed 

 the drawings with his usual conscientious fidelity, and in his share of the work has left me nothing to desire ; 

 while the printing of the plates by Messrs. M. & N. ITanhart has been most carefully and excellently done. 



In the colouring of the plates Mr. J. D. White has faithfully followed the originals ; and in the difficult portions, 

 where it was necessary to produce the metallic hues, he has been very successful. 



The letterpress, from the establishment of Messrs. Taylor & Francis, has been printed from new type ; and the 

 execution fully sustains the reputation of that house. 



And in conclusion I would express my acknowledgments to those who have honoured my work with their 

 support, and aided me in bringing it to a successful completion. 



