146 
the TWELVE-THREAD EPIMACHU8. 
that inhabit the face of the earth. Although in the size of the body it is by no means large, 
its plumage is so wonderfully developed, that the bird measures nearly four feet from the 
point of the bill to the extremity of the tail. 
“To add to the singularity of this bird,” says Lesson, whose description is too vivid and 
life-like to be neglected, “ Nature has placed above and below its wings feathers of an extraor- 
dinary form, and such as one does not see in other birds ; she seems, moreover, to have pleased 
herself in painting this being, already so singular, with her most brilliant colors. The head, 
' nsck, and the belly are glittering green : the feathers which cover these parts possess the 
lustre and softness of velvet to the eye and touch ; the back is changeable violet ; the wings are 
of the same color, and appear, according to the lights in which they are held, blue, violet, or 
deep black ; always, however, imitating velvet. The tail is composed of twelve feathers ; the 
two middle feathers are the longest, and the lateral feathers gradually diminish ; it is violet or 
changeable blue above, and black beneath. The feathers which compose it are as wide in pro- 
portion as they are long, and shine both above and below with the brilliancy of polished metal. 
“Above the wings the scapularies are very long and singularly formed ; their points being 
very short on one side, and very long on the other. These feathers are of the color of polished 
steel, changing into blue, terminated by a large spot of brilliant green, and forming a species 
of tuft or appendage at the margin of the wings. Below the wings spring long curved feathers, 
directed upwards ; these are black on the inside, and brilliant green on the outside. The bill 
and feet are black.” 
The same author, in referring to the brilliant metallic hues of this and other birds, takes 
occasion to notice the iridescent effect which is produced by the different angle at which light 
falls on the feathers. The emerald green, for instance, will often fling out rays of its two 
constituent primary colors, at one time being blue-green, at another gold-green, while in cer- 
tain lights all color vanishes, and a velvet-black is presented to the eye. The ruby feathers of 
several birds become orange under certain lights, and darken to a crimson-black at other times. 
This change of hue is analogous to the well-known iridescent changeableness of the nacre 
which lines various shells, and is owing to the structure of its surface refracting the light in 
different rays according to the angle at which it falls upon the feathers. 
The adult male Twelve-thread Plume Bird presents so strong a resemblance to the 
birds of paradise that it might easily be mistaken for one of those gorgeous creatures, than 
which, indeed, it is scarcely less splendid. Not only does its plumage glow with all the 
resplendency of brilliant emerald -green and velvety violet-black, but the bird is also provided 
witn a number of long thread-like plumes, which are very similar to those of the paradise 
birds. Like the preceding species, it is a native of New Guinea, and is, if possible, even a 
more beautiful creature ; the white floating plumes compensating for the absence of the 
extremely lengthened tail. 
The general color of the Twelve-thread Plume Bird is rich violet, so intense as to become 
black in some lights, and having always a velvet-like depth of tone. Around the neck is 
placed a collar of glowing emerald-green feathers, which stand boldly from the neck, and pre- 
sent a most brilliant contrast with the deep violet of the back and wings. The tail is short in 
comparison with the dimensions of the bird. From the back and the rump spring a number 
of long silken plumes of a snowy white color, and a loose downy structure that causes them to 
wave gracefully in the air at the slightest breeze. Six of these lower plumes at each side are 
furnished with long, black, thread-like prolongations of the shaft, a peculiarity which has 
earned for the bird its title of Twelve- thread. 
Albino specimens of this bird have been found, in which the entire plumage was of the 
same snowy-white as the downy plumes. 
In attempting to describe these gorgeously-decorated creatures, it is impossible to avoid a 
feeling of dissatisfaction when mentally comparing the wondrous beauty of the beings under 
consideration and the imperfect words in which the writer has endeavored to portray their 
beauties. Even with the assistance of color, any idea that can be given of these birds would 
necessarily be very imperfect, and the most admirable illustrations that ever were drawn, rich 
