THE RED BIRD OF PARADISE. 
313 
Although undistinguished by the wonderful floating plumes which form so conspicuous 
a decoration of the preceding species, and not being equal to it in dimensions, the Superb 
Bird of Paradise is by no means the least curious of this group. 
In this bird, the scapulary feathers are greatly developed, being elongated and widened so 
as to form a very large double plume or crest, which lies along the back and sides when the 
bird is at rest, but can be raised at will, and then overtops the head on each side like the 
Queen of Scots’ collar. As if to balance this shoulder-crest, another curious tuft of feathers 
hangs from the breast, spreading into a doubly pointed form, the extremities being directed 
downwards. The general color of the plumage is the deepest imaginable violet “shot” with 
green, appearing of a velvety blackness from its very intensity, and only flashing forth in the 
brighter hues as the light falls upon the edge of each feather. The breast tuft, however, forms 
an exception to this rule, being of the most brilliant steely-green, glittering with gem-like 
radiance in the sunbeams. Although it is not a very large bird, measuring only nine inches in 
total length, it is really not so very inferior in size to the emerald Paradise Bird, as its tail is 
short and its plumage closely set. 
The last species of these birds which will be mentioned in these pages is the Red Bird of 
Paradise. 
Although not possessed of such dazzling and refulgent plumage as characterizes several of 
its kin, it is yet a most beautiful bird, and both for the soft, delicate purity of the tints with 
RED BIRD OE PARADISE .— Paradlsea rubra. 
which it is adorned, ~and the harmony of their arrangement, may challenge competition with 
any of the feathered race. In size it is about equal to a small pigeon. The forehead and chin 
are clothed with velvet-like feathers of the intensest green, so arranged as to form a kind of 
double crest on the forehead, and a sharply defined gorget on the throat. The head, back, 
and shoulders, together with a band round the neck immediately below the green gorget, are 
rich orange-yellow, golden in the centre and tinged with carmine on the margins. The wings, 
chest, and abdomen are a deep, warm chocolate-brown, and the tail is somewhat of the same 
tint, but not quite dark. Over the tail falls a long, double tuft of loose plumy feathers of a 
beautiful carmine, and two long black filamentous appendages also hang from the tail > and 
extend to a considerable length. 
Vox,, II.— 40, 
