64 
THE FEATHERS. 
which soars to an amazing height, when almost out of sight 
utters a note which is so distinctly heard, that an experienced 
sportsman would imagine it to he close at hand. 
From the notes and voice of birds, we will next proceed 
to their feathers and wings. A more beautiful, light, and 
compact piece of machinery, or more perfectly adapted for 
the purposes for which it is intended, cannot be conceived, 
than a feather. For beauty, look to the colours and shades 
presented by the glossy plumage of our Peacocks and Phea- 
sants, with which everybody is familiar ; hut their colours, 
beautiful and brilliant as they are, shrink into insignificance 
compared with the dazzling coverings of many others, found 
only in the hotter climates of the globe. It is difficult to 
make a selection amongst the splendid variety which might 
he named ; hut perhaps the Ptiloris JParadiscus, a bird of 
ATew Guinea, little known, is one of the most beautiful. It 
is impossible for any written description, or even coloured 
representation, to give an accurate idea of this most splendid 
creature. Its size is about that of a small pigeon, and its 
general colour is a deep velvet black, glossed on the upper 
parts with rich brownish lilac, which in some lights leaves 
the margin of each feather black, and gives them a scale-like 
appearance. The whole hack part of the head is covered by 
a crown of smaller scale-like feathers, of a splendid metallic 
green; each colour alternately preponderating, as the direction 
of the light is varied. The middle of the throat is occupied 
by a large patch of the same dolour, which, as it approaches 
the breast, divides and forms a stripe on each side. The 
chin arid breast appear to he of an intense velvety black, hut 
when held in certain lights, become glossed with the most 
beautiful reflections of lilac and purple. The feathers on 
the body are yet more changeable ; in some directions, they 
seem entirely black ; in others, this apparent black is 
mingled with a rich olive green ; while in another position 
it is brilliantly reflected and relieved by shades of lilac, 
purple, and the most vivid green. All this gorgeous ap- 
parel, however, is confined to the males, the female being 
clothed in a homely and russet-brown attire, attracting little 
notice. 
