P. H. Maxwell—Princess Stephanie Bird of Paradise



105



PRINCESS STEPHANIE BIRD OF PARADISE


Astrapia stephanise

By P. H. Maxwell


Tiiis illustration is of a very lovely Bird of Paradise, named after

the Crown Princess of Austria in the last century.


The male has a green head of which the crown is a dark blue : the

back is dark brown and the wings are black: the breast is reddish brown

which nearly extends to the crop which is green, with a small band of

yellow in between : the tail, which is very long, is composed of pinkish

brown feathers. It is used for courting.


The female has a dark black head and a speckled brown breast:

the tail is long like the male’s.


The nest of this bird is composed of grasses and small twigs : its

habits in the wild state are very imperfectly known. It has once been

known to attempt to breed in captivity.


Its habitat is the mountains of Eastern New Guinea.



THE O.P.S. MUST SAVE MANY RARE

PHEASANTS


By Y. Malisoux


To prevent the extinction of rare species, three things are neces¬

sary :—


1. Their importation.


2. Reproduction.


3. Rearing the young birds.


These three operations normally appear to be quite easy to all

amateurs. In practice, it is not quite so, if perfect and complete success

are to be obtained. There exists in the rearing of young Pheasants,

as in all things, a certain contradiction between the quality and

quantity.


Importation


The importation of rare species likely to become extinct is generally

an affair of importance. Collectors and importers are very little known



