TWELVE-THREAD PLUME BIRD . — Emniaclus alius. 
The beautiful Plume Birds are remarkable for the curious shape and brilliant 
colourings of their feathers, which in some places glow with a fire and lustre sur- 
passing that of polished gems, and in others, are of the most delicate softness. 
The Twelve-thread Plume Bird is a native of New Guinea, and is called on 
account of the twelve thread-like feathers which project from the plumage. 
The general colour 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 emerald-green feathers, which stand boldly 
from the neck, and present 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. 
Prom the back and the rump spring a number of long silken plumes of a snowy 
white colour, and a loose downy structure that causes them to wave gracefully in 
the air at the slightest breeze. 
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