THE BIRD OF PARADISE. 
73 
changeable like those of the neck of a mallard. The hinder 
part of the head is of a shining green, mixed with gold. 'I he 
body and wings are chielly covered with beautiful brown, 
purple and gold feathers. The uppermost part of the tail 
leathers are of a pale yellow, and those under them white 
and longer than the former ; for which reason the hinder 
part of the tail appears to be all white. But what chielly 
excites curiosity, are two long naked feathers, which spring 
from the upper part of the rump above the tail, and which are 
usually about two feet long. These arc bearded only at the 
beginning and the end; the whole shaft for about one toot 
nine inches being of a deep black, while the feathered ex- 
tremity is of a changeable colour, like the mallard s neck. 
This bird is a native of the Molucca Islands, but found in 
greatest numbers in that of Aro. The inhabitants are not 
insensible of the pleasure they afford, and give them the name 
of God’s birds, as being superior to all that he has made. 
They live in large Hocks, and at night generally perch upon 
jhe same tree. They are called by some, the Swallows of 
Ternate, from their rapid flight, and from their being con- 
tinually on the wing in pursuit of insects, their usual prey. 
As the country where they are bred has its tempestuous 
seasons, when rains and thunders continually distui b^ the 
ntrnosphere, these birds are then but seldom seen, lhe 
natives, who make a trade of killing and selling these birds 
to the Europeans, generally conceal themselves in the trees 
where they resort, and having covered themselves up from 
right in a bower made of the branches, they shoot at the bit ds 
with reedy arrows ; and, as they assert, if they happen to 
kill the kirm, they then have a good chance for killing the 
greatest part of the flock. The chief mark by which they 
know the kirn* is by the ends of the feathers in Ins tail, 
which have eyes like those of the peacock. 'When they 
have taken a number of these birds their usual method is to 
g« them and cut off their legs ;* they then run a hot iron 
•nto the body, which dries up tlie internal moisture; 
ar *d filling the cavity with salts and spices, they sell them 
to ihe Europeans for a perfect trifle. , 
The King bird of Paradise is about the size of a lark. 
The upper parts of the plumage are of a bright red, and the 
breast is a blood red colour with a broad green bar. 1 he 
„ * This has given rise to the ridiculous fable above quoted , « the 
r «*son of this operation is that they are used m that country as aigrettes, 
® nd for other ornaments of dress ; and that being the case, it is usual 
off i h useless and less brilliant parts. 
Vol. II. K 
