ASTRAPIA NIGRA. Bonap. 
INCOMPARABLE BIRD OF PARADISE. 
Gorget Paradise Bird. — Lath., Gen. Syn., I. p. 478, pi. 20 (1782). 
P aradisea nigra. — Gmel., Syst. Nat., Vol. I. p. 401 (1788). 
P aradisea gularis.— Lath., Inch Ornith., Vol. II. p. 196 (1790); Shaw, Gen. Zool., Vol. VII. p. 501 (1S09). 
La Pie de Paradis , oti l' incomparable Leraill. — Hist. Nat. Ois. Parad., Vol. I. (1806). 
Le Hatise-col Lore. — Vieill., Ois. Dor., Vol. II. (1802). 
Rpimachus niger. — Schleg., Mus. Pays-Bas, p. 94 (1867). 
Astrapia gularis. — Vieill., Gal. des Ois., Tom. I. p. 109, pi. 107 (1825); Less., Trait. Ornith., p. 338 (1831); Von Rosenb., 
Journ. fur Ornith., p. 131 (1864); Less., Ois Parad., p. 18, sp. 8 (1833). 
Astrapia nigra. — Bonap., Consp. Gen. Ar., p. 414 (1850); Gray, Gen. Birds, Vol. II. p. 326; Wall., Proc. Zool. Soc. 
(1862), pp. 154, 155, 159, 160; Shaw, Gen. Zool., Vol. XIV. (1826); Wall., Malay ArchipeL, Vol. II. p. 257; 
Elliot, Mon. Parad., pi. 9 (4873); Salvad., Ann. Mus. Cir. Genov., IX. p. 190 (1876); Sharpe, Cat. Bds. Brit. 
Mus., III. p. 165 (1877); Gould, Bds. New Guinea, Pt. VIII. (1878), 
Hab. — New Guinea. 
r I ''HIS magnificent species inhabits the high mountains in the interior of New Guinea, and the slight accounts which 
^ we have of its economy and habits are due to the energy of a few naturalists who, within the last few years, have 
succeeded in penetrating into the interior. 
Dr. Beccari procured several specimens in the Arfak Mountains. He says: “ Epimaclius maximus and Astrapia 
gularis are only found on the highest and most difficult peaks of Mount Ai'fak, nearly always above six thousand feet 
elevation. Specimens in dark plumage are common enough, but those which have attained perfect plumage are rare, 
perhaps because they take some years to .acquire it. Both of them live on the fruits of certain Pandanacem, and especially 
on those of the Freycinetise, which are epiphytous on the trunks of trees. The irides of the large Epimachus are dark 
brick-red; those of the Astrapia almost black. The neck feathers of the latter are erectible, and expand into a magnificent 
collar round the head. The first day I went out at Atam, on June 23, I got both these species (two specimens of each), 
besides one Drepanoris albertisi, three Paradigallse, one Parotia, and several other wonderful kinds of birds. It was a 
memorable day ; because I ascended one of the peaks, and was surprised to find myself surrounded by four or five species 
of vaccinium and rhododendron. I also found an umbellifer (a drymis), and various other plants common to the 
mountains of Java, and there were also some mosses a foot and a half in height.” 
Adult male. — General plumage above, velvety black with a purplish tinge; wings black, with tinge of purple, the 
inner primaries cut squarely at the tips; two central tail feathers very long, showing magnificent purple when held to the 
light; feathers of the head black, of a velvety texture, the top of the head showing steel-blue reflections; nape covered by a 
shield of golden-green feathers. From each side of the latter springs a ruff of velvety black; a band of brilliant golden 
copper-color from behind the eye, down the neck, and encircling the throat; under surface rich green; the lateral plumes of 
the breast tipped with metallic green; bill and feet, black; iris, very dark brown. 
Adult female . — Much smaller. General plumage black; the inner edges of secondaries rufous; outer edges of 
primaries narrowly edged with rufous; tail brownish black, faintly banded in some lights; underparts sometimes delicately 
lined with ash. 
Length 28; wing 8.5; tail, including central feathers, 18.50; tarsus 1.50; bill 1.25. 
The plate represents a male and female in my collection. 
