BIRDS OF PARADISE. 
333 
the sides of the breast are, when^ closed, grey, shot with a violet tint; but when 
spread they form almost a semicircle round the body, and in certain lights shine 
GORGET BIRD OF PARADISE (§ nat. Size). 
like gold, in others like tire. Long feathers 
of a greyish violet colour grow from the sides, 
their edges being of a metallic violet lustre. 
The upper-parts of the wing and tail-feathers 
are of a darkish yellow, as are those of the 
back, but sometimes of a still darker hue. 
The feathers of the throat are black, shading 
off into olive colour; those of the breast of 
a greyish purple, with an olive band; the 
abdomen is white. The beak is black, the 
eyes chestnut, and the feet dark lead-colour. 
When the bird raises the long feathers on his 
sides and breast, they form two semicircles, 
and he presents as extraordinary and beauti¬ 
ful a sight as one could behold.” The female 
of this Papuan species is chestnut above, and 
yellower beneath. 
