gradually increase in density and then assume the silvery white forehead which is so conspicuous in the adult. 
Then are assumed gradually the metallic colours of the occipital diadem, and at the same time some metallic 
feathers also appear on the throat and fore-neck, while the brown plumage becomes black and of a velvety 
texture. Successively the feathers of the wings and tail begin to be black and present a velvet aspect, 
while a collar of velvety black plumes appears on the neck, the feathers of which are lengthened. The 
metallic shield on the throat gradually extends, as does also the black of the chin and the sides of the breast ; 
the breast, abdomen, and under tail-coverts and the long flank-feathers also blacken, and the three long 
plumes on each side of the crown make their appearance, being black from the very commencement. The 
last portions of the body to show remains of young plumage are the abdomen and the rump. The series of 
specimens in the British Museum has not been extensive enough to allow me to follow all the changes of 
plumage described by Count Salvadori, but the allied species, P . lawesi, appears to go through a very 
similar succession ; but the order of change appears to me to vary with individuals. Thus some specimens 
commence to develop the ornamental plumes on the head before any sign of the gular shield is apparent, 
and they are occasionally fully developed when only a slight blackening of the throat has commenced. 
The rackets at the end of the ornamental plumes are at first longitudinal in shape, but quickly assume 
their ovate form. 
The home of this species is the Arfak Mountains, in North-western New Guinea. In the Charles Lewis 
Mountains it is represented by P. carolce , and in the Owen Stanley Mountains by P. lawesi. 
Dr. Beccari has given the following note on the species : — “ Of Parotia sexpennis I got one adult male 
alive, but it only lived three days. Its eye, with the iris azure surrounded by a yellow ring, is extremely 
beautiful. The six feathers which ornament the head are not raised up vertically, but moved backwards 
and forwards in a horizontal and oblique direction, and are moved forward parallel to the sides of the 
beak. It is the commonest Paradise-bird at Mount Arfak, but, as usual, the adult males are much scarcer 
than the females and young males.” 
The following remarks are from the pen of Signor D’ Albertis : — “Although this species has been 
known for many years, it is not yet accurately understood, having only been described from birds in a 
mutilated condition. My observations have been made in the natural haunts of these elegant birds, 
from numerous specimens both living and dead. These birds are found in the north of New Guinea. 
I met with them about thirty miles from the coast, at an elevation of 3600 feet above the level 
of the sea, near Mount Arfak. I have never found the adult male in company with females or young 
birds, but always in the thickest parts of the forest ; the females and young birds are generally found in a 
much lower zone. This Paradise-bird is very noisy, uttering a note like ‘ guaacl-guaad.’ It feeds upon 
various kinds of fruits, more especially a species of fig which is very plentiful in the mountain-ranges ; at 
other times I have observed it feeding on a small kind of nutmeg. To clean its rich plumage this bird is 
accustomed, when the ground is dry, to scrape (similarly to a gallinaceous bird) around places clear of all 
grass and leaves, and to roll over and over again in the dust produced by the clearing, at the same time 
crying out, extending and contracting its plumage, elevating the brilliant silvery crest on the upper part of its 
head, and also the six remarkable plumes from which it derives the specific name of sexpennis. On seeing 
its eccentric movements at this time, and hearing its cries, one would consider it to be engaged in a fight 
with some imaginary enemy. This bird is named ‘ Caran-a ’ by the natives. I have also a skeleton of a 
young male of this species, which, although not in a perfect state, may no doubt be interesting as showing 
the form of the cranium, on which there is an admirable muscular structure which enables the bird to 
elevate the feathers of the head. The feathers at the nape of the neck exhibit, when the rays of light strike 
upon them, a rich and brilliant metallic hue. The eyes are of a light blue, with a circle of pale yellowish- 
green colour.” 
Adult male. General colour above rich purplish velvety black, including the wings and tail ; plumes of 
head and neck also close-set and velvety, purplish black like the hack ; above the ear-coverts a tuft of 
elongated silky hair-like plumes, from among the anterior ones of which spring three thread-like shafts 
on either side of the head, each ornamented with an ovate racket of velvety black ; frontal plumes purplish, 
the feathers tipped with shining white, which forms a band across the forehead, these stiff plumes being 
capable of depression forwards nearly to the tip of the bill ; across the upper crown a band of brilliant 
metallic plumes, the centre ones bright green with a double sub-terminal bar of purple and blue, the 
outermost ones somewhat more shining with metallic purple and lilac ; throat velvety purplish black, the 
lower throat and fore-neck forming a brilliant metallic shield, composed of golden-copper feathers, shining 
