PARADISEA. PARADISE-BIRD. 



Generic Character. 



Rostrum capistri plumis 

 tomentosis tectum. 



Penna hypochondriorum 

 plerisque longiores. 



Pedes validi, ambulatorii. 



Bill covered at the base by 

 velvet-like plumes. 



Side-Feathers beneath the 

 wings, in most species, 

 extending far beyond the 

 rest of the plumage. 



Legs strong: feet formed 

 for walking. 



X HE genus Paradisea, distinguished in most 

 species by a peculiar union of splendor and ele- 

 gance, appears to be confined to the regions of 

 Papua or New Guinea, and the small neighbour- 

 ing isles; spreading only a few degrees on each 

 side the Equator. 



In the second edition of Mr. Pennant's Indian 

 Zoology may be found a good general description, 

 from Valentyn, &c. of this remarkable genus, by 

 the late Dr. John Reinhold Forster, preceded by 

 a very learned dissertation on the fabulous Phoenix 

 of antiquity, a bird of the size of an Eagle, deco- 

 rated with gold and purple plumes, and more par- 

 ticularly described by Pliny as having the splendor 

 of gold round the neck, the rest of the body purple, 

 the tail blue, varied with rose-colour, the face 



