KING BIRD OF PARADISE. 
transverse bar on the breast. From the mid- 
dle of the tail proceed two long filaments, or 
shafts, of blackish feathers without beard?, 
which extend far below the tail and wings ; 
and, near their extremities, these shafts, which 
there become bearded on one side, convolve 
themselves, so as to form a pretty large circle, 
open in the centre. This beautiful circle is of 
an emerald colour, bright and varying. About: 
each eye there is a black spot j and the irides, 
as well as the bill and feet, are yellow. 
It is not a little singular, however, that' 
Clusius has described the King Bird of Para- 
dise as the smallest of the geaus. The wings, 
he says^ are considerably longer than the bo- 
dy ; the bill is white ; the lower part of th'e 
vppcr mandible is covered wltli a sort of red 
silky down, as well as the forepart of the 
head, but the middle part about the eyes is full 
9f black specks ; the feathers on th-e neck 
and breast, which resemble silk, arc of a deep 
black colour; the back, wings, and tail, are of 
a dusky yellow ; beneath the breast is a blaclc 
»tripe as broad as tlie little finger; and the 
fcaiheri 
