BIRD OF PARADISE. 
177 
no legs, for they were never seen alive, excepting when fly- 
ing across from one island to another, the natives always 
bringing dead specimens for sale, without the legs, possibly 
because they thought they looked better without them, in many 
species the leg being coarse, and unbecoming a bird in every 
other respect so exquisitely beautiful. It is quite impossible 
to describe their beauty, or give even a faint idea of it with- 
out coloured representations ; and few of the most favoured 
of the feathered race can rival them in the gorgeous variety 
and singularity of their splendid dress. Some are orna- 
mented with light projecting tufts, of a fine downy substance, 
while others have plumes and tendrils flying out in every 
direction, like pennants and streamers, while their bodies 
glisten with the most dazzling and resplendent hues, chang- 
ing from crimson and gold to the most delicate green or 
purple, according as the sun’s rays fall upon the feathers. 
It is said that they frequent the most retired spots of the 
thick woods of their native country. If so, it is diffi- 
cult to conceive 
how they can 
move amongst 
close and en- 
tangled boughs, 
without injuring 
their loose and 
delicate robe of 
plumage; or, for 
what purpose Pro- 
vidence has so 
fancifully and pro- 
fusely decorated 
them with orna- 
ments apparently 
so inconvenient. 
None have ever reached this country in a living state, and 
hut one species, that we are aware of, has ever been kept in 
confinement. This was the great Paradise-bird, the flowing 
yellow plumage of whose tail is so much prized as an orna- 
Great Bird of Paradise. 
