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PREFACE. 
The Birds of Paradise have always attracted great attention among lovers of nature, on 
account of their extraordinary form and beautiful decoration ; they have, therefore, been 
frequently monographed and figured. Since Dr. A. R. Wallace first published his notes on the 
habits of these beautiful birds in his ‘ Malay Archipelago,’ many new forms have been discovered 
in the great island of New Guinea, some of them being still more remarkable for their 
fantastic plumage and curious habits than those which were known to him ; and even during 
the progress of the present work some really startling species have been brought to light, 
which have obliged the publishers to extend the scope of the work beyond the original 
limits proposed. 
A few of the Plates have been reproduced from Gould's ‘ Birds of New Guinea,’ but a great 
number of species are here figured for the first time, and in the ‘ Introduction ’ I have given a 
complete list of the genera and species at present known. 
I am extremely grateful to the Hon. Walter Rothschild for the loan of many specimens from 
his Museum at Tring ; and I have also to thank Mr. C W. De Vis, the Director of the 
Queensland Museum, for the opportunity of figuring some of the new species discovered in 
British New Guinea by Sir William MacGregor. I must also express my obligations to Count 
Salvadori, Dr. A. B. Meyer, Mr. E. Iiartert, and other friends for much kindly advice and 
assistance ; and it is with sincere grief for the loss of my Mentor in ornithology, that I have 
to acknowledge the help which I received from my old friend Mr. Osbert Salvin, one of 
whose last actions was to look over the proofs of the ‘ Introduction ’ and £ Appendix ’ to the 
present work. 
With the exception of a few species drawn by Mr. Keulemans from specimens in foreign 
Museums, the whole of the Plates have been prepared by Mr. W. Hart, so well known for his 
long and honourable association as artist for Mr. Gould’s ornithological works. 
R. BOWDLER SHARPE. 
Chiswick, June 20, 1898. 
