PTI LORIS PARADISE US. Swain, 
RIFLE BIRD. 
Ptiloris paradisetts. — Swain, Zoo). Journal, Vol. I. p. 48 1. — Gray, Gen. Birds, Vol. I. p. 94, — Cab. & Hein., Mus. 
Hein., Theil I. p. 214. — Reich., Hand, der Spec. Ornith., p. 328. — Gould, Birds of Austr., Vol. IV. pi. 100. - 
Id., Hand. B. B. Austr., Vol. I. p. 591, — Elliot, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1871, p. 582. — Bonp., Comp. Gen. Av. 1S50, 
p. 412, sp. i. — Less., Ois. Parad. 1835, syn. p. 25, sp. 1. — Id., Hist. Nat, p. 23, pis. 29 and 30. — Elliot, 
Mon. Parad., pi. 24. 
Epimachus brisbani. — Wils„ 111 . Zool., pi. 9. — Less., Man. Ornith., T. 1 1, pp. 6, 320. 
Epimachus regms. — Less., Voy. Coquille, pi, 28. — Id,, Cent. Zool., pi. 3, 
Epimaclms par adiseus. — Schl., Mus. Pays-Bas, 1867, p. 97. — Id.,) ourn. Ornith. 1861, p. 386. 
Hab. — Southeastern Australia. 
A LTHOUGH this beautiful species has been familiar to ornithologists for many years, yet, up to the present time, 
comparatively little has been learned regarding its habits. Birds of this family, until a short time ago, were unknown 
to Europeans in a living state; and it is only through the energy and perseverance of such men as Signor d’ Albertis, Mr. 
Wallace, and a few others, that we have been able to obtain any definite information concerning them. 
During the last century, many mutilated specimens of different species found their way into Europe, and a custom 
which the natives had of removing all traces of the legs in preparing the skins gave rise to the most extravagant stories 
concerning them. It was supposed that they had no feet, and never ceased floating about in the air. The name of the 
New Guinea species, P. apoda, shows that these ridiculous tales were not entirely discredited by the naturalists of that day. 
Although wanting the flowing plumes, which so enhance the beauty of some of the other species of its family, the 
Rifle Bird is unsurpassed in richness of color; and if it is so beautiful in the cabinet, what must be its splendor as it 
flashes and glitters amid the tropical flowers of its native forests! 
Mr. Gould, in his “Birds of Australia,” gives a short account of this species. He says, “Flitherto, this magnificent 
bird has only been discovered in the bushes of the southeastern portions of Australia. So limited, in fact, does its range 
of habitat seem to be, that the river Hunter to the southward, and Moreton Bay to the eastward, may be considered its 
natural boundaries in either direction. I have been informed by several persons, who have seen it in its native wilds, that 
it possesses many habits in common with the Cliimacteri , and that it ascends the upright boles of trees precisely after the 
manner of those birds. . . . The sexes offer the greatest possible difference in the coloring of their plumage; for, while 
the male is adorned with hues only equalled by some species of the Trochilidce , or Humming-birds, the dress of the female 
is as sombre as can well be imagined. The law which exists wheneyer there is a great difference in the coloring of the 
sexes, causes many r party-colored changes of plumage in the immature males during the period of moulting, which, however, 
during the first year, and probably for a longer period, cannot be distinguished from the females.” 
Adult Male. General Phimage . — Velvety black, but, when held in the light, showing bright lilac; feathers of the 
abdomen and flanks edged with olive green ; feathers on top of the head and triangular throat-patch, small, and of a rich 
metallic bluish green ; two central tail-feathers metallic green, the rest purplish black; bill and feet, black. 
