PTILORIS PAEADISEUS. 



it. Although this bird is larger in size than the Climacteres, equally found in various parts of this immense 

 country, it appears to be so closely related to them that, if they only had this form and magnificent plumage, 

 they would be deemed to belong to the same family. Thus, like the species of the genus Climacteris, our 

 beautiful bird supports itself often on the trunks of the immense trees which cover a great part of the country 

 even yet so little known to the scientific world. Although this species is chiefly insectivorous, yet at certain 

 seasons of the year it seeks the ravines which are favourable for concealment in the immense forests, and there 

 searches for the seeds of different kinds of plants, more those of creepers than of trees. Its barbed tongue and 

 long and sharp bill seem inappropriate for this kind of food ; but I can affirm that it is only done when the 

 seeds are already attacked by the various insects which destroy them (often, indeed, before they become ripe). 

 This bird, when I have observed it, rarely perches, but is seen ordinarily upon the trees or large branches, 

 seeking the larvae and the insects, such as flies, cicadas, &c, of which they are very fond (for in Australia 

 the bark is not so loose or soft as in Tasmania, where they often find enormous quantities of larvae, principaUy 

 of Diptera), which fact I have verified by opening their stomachs. On account of the large size of this species, 

 this kind of food is most suitable for its nourishment. The mere inspection of the tarsus and long toes is not 

 sufficient to justify the supposition that this bird represents in Australia our Wall-creepers (Tichodroma), as these 

 equaUy represent the Climacteres, which do not support themselves by their tails any more than does the present 

 species. I have also noticed that it is very rare to see more than two together at a time, flying from tree to tree, 

 ascending and descending exactly the same as the Climacteres, and like them running often upon the ground to 

 look for the larvae fallen from the spot where they had been pecking. The young of the year, which, like those 

 of other species of this family, resemble the female, generally live in separate localities from the old birds. As 

 to the change which takes place in the plumage of these birds, it operates without the intervention of a 

 moult, as we have seen in the majority of species of birds of all families — that is to say, without the feathers 

 falling out, by a gradual coloration of each one. The Ptiloris paradiseus always enters the trunks of trees to 

 pass the night ; and it also nests there, as I have ascertained by finding the remains of the nests, the breeding- 

 season having passed, as was proved by my meeting with the young. I do not know either the number or 

 the colour of the eggs ; but the farmers of Moreton Bay assured me that they were pure white, and about the 

 size of the egg of Megaloprepia assimilis, Gould." 



Male. — Top and back of head, with a large pyramidal-shaped mark upon the throat, bright metallic light green ; 

 neck, back, and upper part of the breast rich deep purple ; secondaries velvety black with purplish gloss ; 

 primaries black ; flanks, lower part of breast, and abdomen very rich dark green ; two central feathers very 

 brilliant metallic green ; rest of feathers rich blackish brown, with a purplish gloss on the outer webs ; bill, 

 feet, and legs black. 



Young male. — Upper part of head and neck very dark brown, shafts white ; superciliary stripe extending to the 

 nape white : back and wings dark olive-brown ; primaries dark olive-brown, the outer webs of the majority 

 edged with rufous brown, others already changed to deep purple. Secondaries in a similar state of transition — 

 some feathers being partly purple, partly dark olive-brown. Throat white, as are the sides of the neck ; a few 

 feathers tipped with dark purple. Underparts generally buff, with V-shaped marks of dark brown, like the female, 

 many feathers, however, particularly in the centre, having already changed to the deep purple and green of the 

 adult male, presenting a mottled appearance. Tail light brown. Bill, feet, and tarsi black. 



Female. — Upper part of the head dark brown, each feather having a central line of dark buff; line over 

 the eye, extending to the occiput and throat, yellowish white; entire upper parts uniform olive-brown; primaries 

 dark brown, with^ the edges of both webs rufous brown ; tail same colour as the primaries, without the light 

 edges ; entire underparts light buff, each feather having an irregular black V-shaped mark diagonal with the 

 shaft; bill, feet, and legs black. 



