'558 



THE BIRDS OF PARADISE. [cr. xxxviii. 



This lovely little bird is only ahout six and a htdf inclies 

 long, partly owing to the very short tiiil, which docs not 

 surpass the somewhat square wings. Tlio head, thrnui, 

 and entire uppftt surface are of the richest glossy crimson 

 red, shading to orange-crimson on tlie forehead, where tho 

 feathers extend heyund the no.strils more than half-way 

 down the beak. The plumage is excessively brilliant, 

 shiiLing in certain lights with a metallic or glassy lustre. 

 The breast and l^lly are pyre silky white, between whicn 

 colour and the red of tlie throat there is a l>road band of 

 rich metallic green, and there is a small spot of the same 

 colour close above each eya From each side of the boily 

 beineath the wing, springs a tuft of broad delicate feathera 

 about an inch and a half long, of an ashy colour, bnt 

 tipped with a broad band of emerald green, bordered 

 within by a narrow line of buff. These plumes are con- 

 cealed beneath the wing, but when the biixL pleases, can be 

 raised and spread out so as to form an elegant semicircular 

 fan on each shoulder. But another omanieni stdl more 

 extraordiuarj', and if possible more beautiful, adorns inia 

 little bird. The two middle tail feathers are modified into 

 veiy slender wire-like slialU, nearly six inches long, each 

 of which bears at the extremity, on the inner side only, 

 a web of an emerald green colour, which is coiled up into 

 a perfect spiral disc, ami produces a n^ost singulur and 

 charming ellect. The bill is orange yellow, and the feet 

 and legs of a fine cobalt blue. (ISee upper tigure on the 

 plate at the commencement of this chapter.) 



The female of this little gem is such a plainly coloured 

 bird, that it can at first sight hartUy be believed to belong 

 to the same species. The upper surface is of a dull earthy 

 brown, a slight tinge of orange red appearing only on 

 the niai'gins of the quills. Beneath, it is of a paler yel- 

 lowish brown, scaled and banded with narrow dusky 

 markings. The young raales are exactly like the female, 

 and they no doubt undergo a series of changes as singular 

 as those of Paradisea rubra ; but, unfortunately, I was 

 unable to obtain illustrative specimens. 



This exquisite little creature frequents the smaller trees 

 in the thickest parts of the forest, feeding on various fnuts, 

 often of a very large size for so small a bird. It is very 



