SEMIOPTERA WALLACII. 



WALLACE'S BIRD OF PARADISE. 



PARADISEA (SEMIOPTERA) WALLACII, G. R. Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. (1859) p. 130— Schleg. Mus. Pays-Bas (1867), p. 91.— Id. Journ. 

 fur Ornith. (1861) p. 385. 



SEMIOPTERA WALLACII, G. R. Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. (1860) pp. 61, 355— Gould, Birds of Austr. Suppl. pi. 3.— Gray, Hand-L Birds (1869), 

 pt. i. p. 105. no. 1276.— Sclat. Ibis (1860), p. 26, pi. 2.— Wall. Ibis (1859), p. 210 (note) ; (1861), p. 212.— Id. Malay Archip. vol. ii. 

 p. 17.— Von Rosenb. Journ. fur Ornith. (1864) p. 125. 



Hab. Batchian, Halmahera (Wallace and Bernstein). 



This strange form of Paradise-bird was discovered by Mr. Wallace in the island of Batchian, and is one of 

 the most remarkable species that he has ever made known to the scientific world. It differs in so many ways 

 from the other members of this family, that it cannot be compared with any one of them ; and although its 

 general plumage is plain and dull, yet the rich green breast, the feathers extending in lengthened plumes on 

 either side, together with the extraordinary character presented in the two feathers springing from each wing, 

 elevate this bird to a place among the most singular members of the Paradiseidse. How rejoiced was 

 the naturalist, after much toil, anxiety, and many disappointments, to obtain a new Bird of Paradise, the first 

 procured for many years, can be better appreciated by his letter written to Mr. Stevens, at the time of 

 his great acquisition, and which I here reproduce: — "Batchian, 29th Oct., 1858. — Here have I been as yet 

 only five days ; but, from the nature of the country, and what I have already done, I am inclined to think 

 it may prove one of the best localities I have visited. Birds are as yet very scarce ; but I still hope to 

 get a fine collection, though I believe I have already the finest and most wonderful bird in the island. I had 

 a good mind to keep it a secret ; but I cannot resist telling you. I have a new Bird of Paradise ! of a 

 new genus ! ! quite unlike any thing yet known, very curious and very handsome ! ! ! When I get a couple of 

 pairs, I will send them overland, to see what a new Bird of Paradise will really fetch. Had I seen the 

 bird in Ternate, I should never have believed it came from here, so far out of the hitherto supposed region 

 of the Paradiseidce. I consider it the greatest discovery I have yet made; and it gives me hopes of getting 

 other species in Gilolo and Ceram. ... I can do nothing at drawing birds, but send you a horrible sketch 

 of my discovery, that you may not die of curiosity." In Mr. Wallace's most interesting volumes on the Malay 

 archipelago, he gives the following account of the way he procured this species: — "Just as I got home I 

 overtook Ali returning from shooting, with some birds hanging from his belt. He seemed much pleased, 

 and said "Look here, Sir, what a curious bird!" holding out what at first completely puzzled me. I saw a bird 

 with a mass of splendid green feathers on its breast, elongated into two glittering tufts; but what I could not 

 understand was a pair of long white feathers, which stuck straight out from each shoulder. Ah assured me that 

 the bird stuck them out in this way itself, when fluttering its wings, and that they had remained so without his 

 touching them. I now saw that I had got a great prize, no less than a completely new form of the Bird of 

 Paradise, differing most remarkably from every other known bird. The Standard-wing is found in Gilolo as well as 

 in Batchian ; and all the specimens from the former island have the green breast-shields rather longer, the crown of 

 the head darker violet, and the lower parts of the body rather more strongly scaled with green. This is the only 

 Paradise-bird yet found in the Moluccan district, all the others being confined to the Papuan Islands and North 

 Australia." 



Mr. G. R. Gray, in whose hands the sketch made by Mr. Wallace, of this species, was placed, gave to it the 

 appropriate generic name of Semioptera or Standard-wing, and, as a just tribute to its discoverer's indefatigable 

 energy, and scientific attainments, the specific one Wallacii. In a letter to Mr. Gould, Mr. Wallace writes: — "the 

 Semioptera Wallacii frequents the lower trees of the virgin forests, and is almost constantly in motion. It flies from 

 branch to branch, and clings to the twigs, and even to the vertical smooth trunks almost as easily as a Woodpecker. 



