Ill the interesting letter of Dr. Beccari, translated in ‘The Ihis ’ for 1876 (p. 248), we find the only 
published account of the habits of the Golden Bird of Paradise. He writes : — “ Sericulus aureus I killed on 
the same fig-tree, near Atam, where D’Albertis obtained the greater part of his birds. It has much the 
same habits as a Bird of Paradise, lives on fruits, especially on figs ; one does not find more than two or 
three individuals together, usually only one male and one female; the younger males and females are very 
different ; the iris is clear straw-colour. It is a very lively and shy bird ; when the male is killed the female 
and another, perhaps a young male, return again to their food on the same tree, and then are seen no more. 
Although it is found at an elevation of 3000 feet or more, it seems more abundant in the hills near the sea, 
but is always most difficult to find, because in each of the localities which it frequents there are only a few 
pairs. Its song, according to my hunters, has much resemblance to the ‘ zigolio ’ of the Nectarinice, but 
rather more strong and sonorous. Only the crest of feathers on the head is erectile. The Arfaks call it 
Komeida'"' 
During his stay in Atam Signor D’Albertis obtained three specimens of this species, one adult and two 
young birds. He gives the colour of the soft parts as follow^s: — “Bill black; feet lead-colour; iris chest- 
nut-brown.” These indications are probably those of the young birds, as the iris in the adult is said by 
Beccari to be ‘straw-colour.’” 
The accompanying Plate represents two males of the natural size, with a reduced figure of a female. 
