KING BIRD OF PARADISE, 
girage, God^s Birds. From the rapidity of 
their flight, as well as from their being conti- 
nually on the wing in pursuit of insects, 
added to the circumstance of their emigrations 
during the tempestuous seasons of that torrid 
clime, they are sometimes called Swallows of 
Tcrnate. 
- oAt the beginning of August, they are seen 
^ying together in great numbers ; and, as 
the inhabitants of the Moluccas incline to be- 
lieve, following their King, who is distin- 
guished from his subjedts by the beauty of his 
plumage, as well as by that respe6l and venera* 
tion which they are said to render him. In the 
evening th^y perch on the loftiest trees of the 
forest; and, particularly, on one bearing a red- 
berry, of which they seem remarkably fond. 
In those ireCvS the natives conceal themselves;, 
and exert their utmost address to shoot the 
King with their arrows: for, that being cf- 
fedled, the greater part of the flock soon be- 
come an easv prey. On taking a number of 
these birds, the usual pra6^Icc is, to embowel 
them, and cut off theiv le^s ; after which, 
thrusting 
