GOLDEN BIRD OF PARADISE. 
and to resemble the latter, by it's small ness, and 
the situation of the eyes under and very near 
the jun6lion of the mandibles ; as well as by a 
sort of natural velvet, which covers the throat, 
and part of the head. Besides," adds Buffon, 
the two long quills of the tail, which some- 
times occur in the European Roller, and which 
are much longer in that of Angola, is another 
analogical character that connedls the genus of 
the Roller with that of the Bird of Paradise. 
The feet and legs had been torn from the sub- 
je6l described and designed by Edwards, as if 
it had been a real Bird of Paradise ; and this 
circumstance, probably, led that naturalist to 
refer it to that genus, though it has none of the 
principal charadlers." 
It is to be remarked, that Buffon has derived 
his entire description from Edwards ; and 
there is no hint, or intimation, that he ever 
beheld the real bird. Indeed, we are cleailyj 
of opinion, from the manner in which thisl 
article is compiled, that he never did see it. I 
May we not suppose, that the want of filaJ 
Bients, which forms the grand feature of th^ 
Birds 
