BIRDS OF PARADISE. 
outer edges of the feathers being margined with emerald-green. The whole of 
the back and shoulders is rich bronzy green, while the closed wings and tail are 
of the most brilliant violet-purple; and the whole plumage has a delicate silky 
gloss. Posteriorly to the fore-breast, the whole of the under-parts are of a rich 
buffy yellow, the same tint characterising the plumes of flank-feathers, which 
extend about an inch and a half beyond the tail. The total length of the bird is 
about a foot, of which two inches are taken up by the compressed beak. The 
33 1 
yellowish like those of the breast, being produced and their shafts elongated 
into six pairs of bare wire-like bristles, which are bent forwards in a bold curve. 
As regards the plumage, the head is covered with short velvety feathers of a 
purplish bronze colour; the breast appears at first nearly black, but in 
different lights shows various metallic tints, especially green and purple, the 
TWELVE-WIRED BIRD OE PARADISE Hat. size). 
