THE FEATHERS, 
77 
The distance, too, at which some birds may be 
heard is very extraordinary. The brown Crane of 
North America, which soars to an amazing height, 
when almost out of sight utters a note which is so 
distinctly heard, that an inexperienced sportsman 
would imagine it to be close at hand. 
From the notes and voices of birds, we will next 
proceed to their feathers and wings. A more beau- 
tiful, 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 Pheasants, 
with which every body is familiar ; but their colours, 
beautiful and brilliant as they are, shrink into insig- 
nificance 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 be named ; 
but perhaps, the Ptiloris Paradiscus , a bird of New 
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 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 
