100 
VERTEBRATA. 
tallic-green. The female is dull and somber in its colors. This bird is found in the southeastern 
portion of Australia, where it climbs upon the trunks of trees in the same manner as the Creep- 
ers, which it resembles in its general habits. Little is known of the mode of life of the other 
species. 
THE PLUMED BIRDS OR EPIMACHIN^. 
These have, usually been associated with 
the birds of Paradise, which they rival in 
the splendor of their plumage. Some of 
them are furnished with long, dazzling 
plumes, similar to those which distinguish 
these brilliant birds. The species are very 
few, and almost confined to New Guinea 
and the adjacent islands; one species is 
found in New Zealand, and two in Aus- 
tralia. 
Genus EPIMACHUS : Upimachus of 
Cuvier, corresponding to the Promerops of 
Brisson, and the Rhinopomastes of Smith. 
This includes the alhus, which is of a 
fine metallic violet-black color, with a broad 
collar of feathers margined with emerald- 
green at the base of the neck. Long float- 
ing plumes spring from the back and rump ; 
they are of a white color, and very long, 
with long, silky, distant barbs, and twelve 
of the lower plumes are terminated by long 
filiform continuations of the shafts, which 
are curved and blackish toward the extrem- 
ity ; these formerly obtained for this species 
the name of the Tiuelve-threaded Bird of 
Paradise. 
The Grand Promerops, E. magnus, is 
found in New Guinea, along the coasts ; 
the general color is blackish-brown; tail 
three feet long, thrice as long as the body ; 
feathers of the sides elongated, raised, curled, 
glittering on their edges with steel-blue, 
azure, and emerald-green, like precious 
stones ; the head and the belly lustrous also 
with steel-blue. In truth, language fails to 
convey any just idea of the magnificence of this species. 
THE HOOPOES OR UPUPIDiB. 
These, of which there are only a few species, all belong to the eastern hemisphere ; they have 
the bill slender, slightly curved throughout, the tip acute; the toes long and strong, the outer 
one united to the middle toe at the base ; the claws are curved and powerful. The crown of the 
head is ornamented by a crest of feathers, which the bird raises and lowers at pleasure. 
The Genus UPUPA: Upupa, includes the Common Hoopoe, U. epops: it is widely dispersed 
over Africa, Asia, and Europe, being migratory in the latter country. It is twelve inches long, and 
of an exceedingly elegant appearance ; the head and neck are of a pale red color ; the fore part 
of the back light purplish-red ; behind this it is of a reddish-white color, barred with black ; the 
wings are black, with several irregular white bars, and the tail is black, with a single white bar 
( 
THE GRAND PROMEROPS. 
