BIRD OF PARADISE. 
215 
and a few neighbouring islands in the India seas, 
inhabited by wild tribes, with whom travellers have 
but little communication. These people catch the 
Paradise-birds, and dry their skins, which they 
barter with ships passing along the coast. It was 
for a long time believed, by ignorant persons, that 
they had no legs, for they were never seen alive, 
excepting when flying 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 without coloured representa- 
tions ; and few of the most favoured of the feathered 
race can rival them in the gorgeous variety and sin- 
gularity 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, changing from crim- 
son 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 difficult to conceive how they can move amongst 
close and entangled boughs without injuring their 
loose and delicate robe of plumage ; or for what 
purpose Providence has so fancifully and profusely 
decorated them with ornaments apparently so incon- 
venient. 
