Wehadtokeeprowingallnight，thelandbreezesbeingtooweaktoenableustosailagainstthecurrent。Duringtheafternoonofthe21stwehadanhour'sfairwind，whichsoonchangedintoaheavysquallwithrain，andmyclumsymenletthemainsailgettakenabackandnearlyupsetus，tearingthesail；and，whatwasworse，losinganhour'sfairwind。Thenightwascalm，andwemadelittleprogress。
Onthe22dwehadlighthead-winds。Alittlebeforenoonwepassed，withtheassistanceofouroars，thePacienciaStraits，thenarrowestpartofthechannelbetweenBatchianandGilolo。
ThesewerewellnamedbytheearlyPortuguesenavigators，asthecurrentsareverystrong，andtherearesomanyeddies，thatevenwithafairwindvesselsareoftenquiteunabletopassthroughthem。Intheafternoonastrongnorthwinddeadaheadobligedustoanchortwice。Atnighitwascalm，andwecreptalongslowlywithouroars。
Onthe23dwestillhadthewindahead，orcalms。WethencrossedoveragaintothemainlandofGilolobytheadviceofourGanimen，whoknewthecoastwell。Justaswegotacrosswehadanothernortherlysquallwithrain，andhadtoanchorontheedgeofacoralreefforthenight。Icalledupmymenaboutthreeonthemorningofthe24th，buttherewasnowindtohelpus，andwerowedalongslowly。Atdaybreaktherewasafairbreezefromthesouth，butitlastedonlyanhour。Alltherestofthedaywehadnothingbutcalms，lightwindsahead，andsqualls，andmadeverylittleprogress。
Onthe25thwedriftedouttothemiddleofthechannel，butmadenoprogressonward。IntheafternoonwesailedandrowedtothesouthendofKaióa，andbymidnightreachedthevillage。I
determinedtostayhereafewdaystorestandrecruit，andinhopesofgettingbetterweather。Iboughtsomeonionsandothervegetables，andplentyofeggs，andmymenbakedfreshsagocakes。Iwentdailytomyoldhunting-groundinsearchofinsects，butwithverypoorsuccess。Itwasnowwet，squallyweather，andthereappearedastagnationofinsectlife。WeStavedfivedays，duringwhichtimetwelvepersonsdiedinthevillage，mostlyfromsimpleintermittentfever，ofthetreatmentofwhichthenativesarequiteignorant。DuringthewholeofthisvoyageIhadsufferedgreatlyfromsunburntlips，owingtohavingexposedmyselfondeckalldaytoloonafteroursafetyamongtheshoalsandreefsnearWaigiou。Thesaltintheairsoaffectedthemthattheywouldnotheal，butbecameexcessivelypainful，andbledattheslightesttouch，andforalongtimeitwaswithgreatdifficultyIcouldeatatall，beingobligedtoopenmymouthverywide，andputineachmouthfulwiththegreatestcaution。Ikeptthemconstantlycoveredwithointment，whichwasitselfverydisagreeable，andtheycausedmealmostconstantpainformorethanamonth，astheydidnotgetwelltillIhadreturnedtoTernate，andwasabletoremainaweekindoors。
AboatwhichleftforTernate，thedayafterwearrived，wasobligedtoreturnthenextday，onaccountofbadweather。Onthe31stwewentouttotheanchorageatthemouthoftheharbour，soastobereadytostartatthefirstfavourableopportunity。
Onthe1stofNovemberIcalledupmymenatoneinthemorning，andwestartedwiththetideinourfavour。Hithertoithadusuallybeencalmatnight，butonthisoccasionwehadastrongwesterlysquallwithrain，whichturnedourpraubroadside，andobligedustoanchor。Whenithadpassedwewentonrowingallnight，butthewindaheadcounteractedthecurrentinourfavour，andweadvancedbutlittle。Soonaftersunrisethewindbecamestrongerandmoreadverse，andaswehadadangerouslee-shorewhichwecouldnotclear，wehadtoputaboutandgetanoffingtotheW。S。W。Thisseriesofcontrarywindsandbadweathereversincewestarted，nothavinghadasingledayoffairwind，wasveryremarkable。Mymenfirmlybelievedtherewassomethingunluckyintheboat，andtoldmeIoughttohavehadacertainceremonygonethroughbeforestarting，consistingofboringaholeinthebottomandpouringsomekindofholyoilthroughit。
Itmustberememberedthatthiswastheseasonofthesouth-eastmonsoon，andyetwehadnothadevenhalfaday'ssouth-eastwindsinceweleftWaigiou。Contrarywinds，squalls，andcurrentsdriftedusabouttherestofthedayattheirpleasure。Thenightwasequallysquallyandchangeable，andkeptushardatworktakinginandmakingsail，androwingintheintervals。
Sunriseonthe2dfoundusinthemiddleoftheten-milechannelbetweenKaióaandMakian。Squallsandshowerssucceededeachotherduringthemorning。Atnoontherewasadeadcalm，afterwhichalightwesterlybreezeenabledustoreachavillageonMakianintheevening。HereIboughtsomepumelosCitrusdecumana，kanary-nuts，andcoffee，andletmymenhaveanight'ssleep。
Themorningofthe3dwasfine，andwerowedslowlyalongthecoastofMakian。Thecaptainofasmallprauatanchor，seeingmeondeckandguessingwhoIwas，madesignalsforustostop，andbroughtmealetterfromCharlesAllen，whoinformedmehehadbeenatTernatetwentydays，andwasanxiouslywaitingmyarrival。Thiswasgoodnews，asIwasequallyanxiousabouthim，anditcheeredupmyspirits。Alightsoutherlywindnowsprungup，andwethoughtweweregoingtohavefineweather。Itsoonchanged，however，toitsoldquarter，thewest；densecloudsgatheredoverthesky，andinlessthanhalfanhourwehadtheseverestsquallwehadexperiencedduringourwholevoyage。
Luckilywegotourgreatmainsaildownintime，ortheconsequencesmighthavebeenserious。Itwasaregularlittlehurricane，andmyoldBugissteersmanbeganshoutingoutto"Allah！ilAllah！"topreserveus。Wecouldonlykeepupourjib，whichwasalmostblowntorags，butbycarefulhandlingitkeptusbeforethewind，andthepraubehavedverywell。OursmallboatpurchasedatGaniwastowingastern，andsoongotfullofwater，sothatitbrokeawayandwesawnomoreofit。Inaboutanhourthefuryofthewindabatedalittle，andintwomorewewereabletohoistourmainsail，reefedandhalf-masthigh。
Towardseveningitclearedupandfellcalm，andthesea，whichhadbeenratherhigh，soonwentdown。NotbeingmuchofaseamanmyselfIhadbeenconsiderablyalarmed，andeventheoldsteersmanassuredmehehadneverbeeninaworsesquallallhislife。Hewasnowmorethaneverconfirmedinhisopinionoftheunluckinessoftheboat，andintheefficiencyoftheholyoilwhichallBugispraushadpouredthroughtheirbottoms。Asitwas，heimputedoursafetyandthequickterminationofthesquallentirelytohisownprayers，sayingwithalaugh，"Yes，that'sthewaywealwaysdoonboardourpraus；whenthingsareattheworstwestandupandshoutoutourprayersasloudaswecan，andthenTuwanAllahhelpsus。"
AfterthisittookustwodaysmoretoreachTernate，havingourusualcalms，squalls，andhead-windstotheverylast；andoncehavingtoreturnbacktoouranchorageowingtoviolentgustsofwindjustaswewereclosetothetown。LookingatmywholevoyageinthisvesselfromthetimewhenIleftGoraminMay，itwillappearthatrelyexperiencesoftravelinanativeprauhavenotbeenencouraging。Myfirstcrewranaway；twomenwerelostforamonthonadesertisland；weweretentimesagroundoncoralreefs；welostfouranchors；thesailsweredevouredbyrats；thesmallboatwaslostastern；wewerethirty-eightdaysonthevoyagehome，whichshouldnothavetakentwelve；weweremanytimesshortoffoodandwater；wehadnocompass-lamp，owingtotherenotbeingadropofoilinWaigiouwhenweleft；andtocrownall，duringthewholeofourvoyagesfromGorambyCeramtoWaigiou，andfromWaigioutoTernate，occupyinginallseventy-
eightdays，oronlytwelvedaysshortofthreemonthsallinwhatwassupposedtobethefavourableseason，wehadnotonesingledayoffairwind。Wewerealwaysclosebracedup，alwaysstrugglingagainstwind，tide，andleeway，andinavesselthatwouldscarcelysailnearerthaneightpointsfromthewind。Everyseamanwilladmitthatmyfirstvoyageinmyownboatwasamostunluckyone。
CharlesAllenhadobtainedatolerablecollectionofbirdsandinsectsatMysol，butfarlessthanbewouldhavedoneifIhadnotbeensounfortunateastomissvisitinghim。Afterwaitinganotherweekortwotillhewasnearlystarved，hereturnedtoWahaiinCeram，andheard，muchtohissurprise，thatIhadleftafortnightbefore。HewasdelayedtheremorethanamonthbeforehecouldgetbacktothenorthsideofMysol，whichhefoundamuchbetterlocality，butitwasnotyettheseasonfortheParadiseBirds；andbeforehehadobtainedmorethanafewofthecommonsort，thelastprauwasreadytoleaveforTernate，andhewasobligedtotaketheopportunity，asheexpectedIwouldbewaitingthereforhim。
Thisconcludestherecordofmywanderings。InextwenttoTimor，andafterwardstoBourn，Java，andSumatra，whichplaceshavealreadybeendescribed。CharlesAllenmadeavoyagetoNewGuinea，ashortaccountofwhichwillbegiveninmynextchapterontheBirdsofParadise。OnhisreturnhewenttotheSulaIslands，andmadeaveryinterestingcollectionwhichservedtodeterminethelimitsofthezoologicalgroupofCelebes，asalreadyexplainedinmychapteronthenaturalhistoryofthatisland。HisnextjourneywastoFloresandSolor，whereheobtainedsomevaluablematerials，whichIhaveusedinmychapteronthenaturalhistoryoftheTimorgroup。HeafterwardswenttoCotiontheeastcoastofBorneo，fromwhichplaceIwasveryanxioustoobtaincollections，asitisaquitenewlocalityasfaraspossiblefromSarawak，andIhadheardverygoodaccountsofit。OnhisreturnthencetoSourabayainJava，hewastohavegonetotheentirelyunknownSumbaorSandal-woodIsland。Mostunfortunately，however，hewasseizedwithaterriblefeveronhisarrivalatCoti，and，afterlyingtheresomeweeks，wastakentoSingaporeinaverybadcondition，wherehearrivedafterI
hadleftforEngland。WhenherecoveredheobtainedemploymentinSingapore，andIlosthisservicesasacollector。
ThethreeconcludingchaptersofmyworkwilltreatofthebirdsofParadise，theNaturalHistoryofthePapuanstands，andtheRacesofManintheMalayArchipelago。
CHAPTERXXXVIII。
THEBIRDSOFPARADISE。
ASmanyofmyjourneysweremadewiththeexpressobjectofobtainingspecimensoftheBirdsofParadise，andlearningsomethingoftheirhabitsanddistribution；andbeingasfarasIamawaretheonlyEnglishmanwhohasseenthesewonderfulbirdsintheirnativeforests，andobtainedspecimensofmanyofthem，Iproposetogivehere，inaconnectedform，theresultofmyobservationsandinquiries。
WhentheearliestEuropeanvoyagersreachedtheMoluccasinsearchofclovesandnutmegs，whichwerethenrareandpreciousspices，theywerepresentedwiththedriedshinsofbirdssostrangeandbeautifulastoexcitetheadmirationevenofthosewealth-seekingrovers。TheMalaytradersgavethemthenameof"Manukdewata，"orGod'sbirds；andthePortuguese，findingthattheyhadnofeetorwings，andnotbeingabletolearnanythingauthenticaboutthen，calledthem"PassarosdeCol，"orBirdsoftheSun；whilethelearnedDutchmen，whowroteinLatin，calledthem"Avisparadiseus，"orParadiseBird。JohnvanLinschotengivesthesenamesin1598，andtellsusthatnoonehasseenthesebirdsalive，fortheyliveintheair，alwaysturningtowardsthesun，andneverlightingontheearthtilltheydie；
fortheyhaveneitherfeetnorwings，as，headds，maybeseenbythebirdscarriedtoIndia，andsometimestoHolland，butbeingverycostlytheywerethenrarelyseeninEurope。MorethanahundredyearslaterMr。WilliamFunnel，whoaccompaniedDampier，andwroteanaccountofthevoyage，sawspecimensatAmboyna，andwastoldthattheycametoBandatoeatnutmegs，whichintoxicatedthemandmadethemfalldownsenseless，whentheywerekilledbyants。Downto1760，whenLinnaeusnamedthelargestspecies，ParadiseaapodathefootlessParadiseBird，noperfectspecimenhadbeenseeninEurope，andabsolutelynothingwasknownaboutthem。Andevennow，ahundredyearslater，mostbooksstatethattheymigrateannuallytoTernate，Banda，andAmboyna；whereasthefactis，thattheyareascompletelyunknowninthoseislandsinawildstateastheyareinEngland。Linnaeuswasalsoacquaintedwithasmallspecies，whichhenamedParadisearegiatheKingBirdofParadise，andsincethennineortenothershavebeennamed，allofwhichwerefirstdescribedfromskinspreservedbythesavagesofNewGuinea，andgenerallymoreorlessimperfect。ThesearenowallknownintheMalayArchipelagoas"Burongcoati，"ordeadbirds，indicatingthattheMalaytradersneversawthemalive。
TheParadiseidaeareagroupofmoderate-sizedbirds，alliedintheirstructureandhabitstocrows，starlings，andtotheAustralianhoneysuckers；buttheyarecharacterisedbyextraordinarydevelopmentsofplumage，whichareunequalledinanyotherfamilyofbirds。Inseveralspecieslargetuftsofdelicatebright-colouredfeathersspringfromeachsideofthebodybeneaththewings，formingtrains，orfans，orshields；andthemiddlefeathersofthetailareoftenelongatedintowires，twistedintofantasticshapes，oradornedwiththemostbrilliantmetallictints。Inanothersetofspeciestheseaccessoryplumesspringfromthehead，theback，ortheshoulders；whiletheintensityofcolourandofmetalliclustredisplayedbytheirplumage，isnottobeequalledbyanyotherbirds，except，perhaps，thehumming-birds，andisnotsurpassedevenbythese。
Theyhavebeenusuallyclassifiedundertwodistinctfamilies，ParadiseidaeandEpimachidae，thelattercharacterisedbylongandslenderbeaks，andsupposedtobealliedtotheHoopoes；butthetwogroupsaresocloselyalliedineveryessentialpointofstructureandhabits，thatIshallconsiderthemasformingsubdivisionsofonefamily。Iwillnowgiveashortdescriptionofeachoftheknownspecies，andthenaddsomegeneralremarksontheirnaturalhistory。
TheGreatBirdofParadiseParadiseaapodaofLinnaeusisthelargestspeciesknown，beinggenerallyseventeenoreighteeninchesfromthebeaktothetipofthetail。Thebody，wings，andtailareofarichcoffee-brown，whichdeepensonthebreasttoablackish-violetorpurple-brown。
Thewholetopoftheheadandneckisofanexceedinglydelicatestraw-yellow，thefeathersbeingshortandcloseset，soastoresembleplushorvelvet；thelowerpartofthethroatuptotheeyeclothedwithscalyfeathersofanemerald，greencolour，andwitharichmetallicgloss，andvelvetyplumesofastilldeepergreenextendinabandacrosstheforeheadandchinasfarastheeye，whichisbrightyellow。
Thebeakispaleleadblue；andthefeet，whichareratherlargeandverystrongandwellformed，areofapaleashy-pink。Thetwomiddlefeathersofthetailhavenowebs，exceptaverysmalloneatthebaseandattheextremetip，formingwire-likecirrhi，whichspreadoutinanelegantdoublecurve，andvaryfromtwenty-fourtothirty-fourincheslong。Fromeachsideofthebody，beneaththewings，springsadensetuftoflonganddelicateplumes，sometimestwofeetinlength，ofthemostintensegolden-orangecolourandveryglossy，butchangingtowardsthetipsintoapalebrown。Thistuftofplumagecambeelevatedandspreadoutatpleasure，soasalmosttoconcealthebodyofthebird。
Thesesplendidornamentsareentirelyconfinedtothemalesex，whilethefemaleisreallyaveryplainandordinary-lookingbirdofauniformcoffee-browncolourwhichneverchanges，neitherdoesshepossessthelongtailwires，norasingleyelloworgreenfeatheraboutthedead。Theyoungmalesofthefirstyearexactlyresemblethefemales，sothattheycanonlybedistinguishedbydissection。Thefirstchangeistheacquisitionoftheyellowandgreencolourontheheadandthroat，andatthesametimethetwomiddletailfeathersgrowafewincheslongerthantherest，butremainwebbedonbothsides。Atalaterperiodthesefeathersarcreplacedbythelongbareshaftsofthefulllength，asintheadultbird；butthereisstillnosignofthemagnificentorangeside-plumes，whichlaterstillcompletetheattireoftheperfectmale。Toeffectthesechangestheremustbeatleastthreesuccessivemoultings；andasthebirdswerefoundbymeinallthestagesaboutthesametime，itisprobablethattheymoultonlyonceayear，andthatthefullplumageisnotacquiredtillthebirdisfouryearsold。Itwaslongthoughtthatthefinetrainoffeatherswasassumedforashorttimeonlyatthebreedingseason，butmyownexperience，aswellastheobservationofbirdsofanalliedspecieswhichIbroughthomewithme，andwhichlivedtwoyearsinthiscountry，showthatthecompleteplumageisretainedduringthewholeyear，exceptduringashortperiodofmoultingaswithmostotherbirds。
TheGreatBirdofParadiseisveryactiveandvigorousandseemstobeinconstantmotionalldaylong。Itisveryabundant，smallflocksoffemalesandyoungmalebeingconstantlymetwith；andthoughthefull-plumagedbirdsarelessplentiful，theirloudcries，whicharehearddaily，showthattheyalsoareverynumerous。Theirnoteis，"Wawk-wawk-wawk-Wok-wok-wok，"andissoloudandshrillastobeheardagreatdistance，andtoformthemostprominentandcharacteristicanimalsoundintheAruIslands。Themodeofnidificationisunknown；butthenativestoldmethatthenestwasformedofleavesplacedonanant'snest，oronsomeprojectinglimbofaveryloftytree，andtheybelievethatitcontainsonlyoneyoungbird。Theeggisquiteunknown，andthenativesdeclaredtheyhadneverseenit；andaveryhighrewardofferedforonebyaDutchofficialdidnotmeetwithsuccess。TheymoultaboutJanuaryorFebruary，andinMay，whentheyareinfullplumage，themalesassembleearlyinthemorningtoexhibitthemselvesinthesingularmanneralreadydescribedatp。252。Thishabitenablesthenativestoobtainspecimenswithcomparativeease。Assoonastheyfindthatthebirdshavefleduponatreeonwhichtoassemble，theybuildalittleshelterofpalmleavesinaconvenientplaceamongthebranches，andthehunterensconceshimselfinitbeforedaylight，armedwithhisbowandanumberofarrowsterminatinginaroundknob。Aboywaitsatthefootofthetree，andwhenthebirdscomeatsunrise，andasufficientnumberhaveassembled，andhavebeguntodance，thehuntershootswithhisbluntarrowsostronglyastostunthebird，whichdropsdown，andissecuredandkilledbytheboywithoutitsplumagebeinginjuredbyadropofblood。Theresttakenonotice，andfalloneafteranothertillsomeofthemtakethealarm。SeeFrontispiece。
Thenativemodeofpreservingthemistocutoffthewingsandfeet，andthenskinthebodyuptothebeak，takingouttheskull。Astoutstickisthenrunupthroughthespecimencomingoutatthemouth。Roundthissomeleavesarestuffed，andthewholeiswrappedupinapalmspatheanddriedinthesmokyhut。
Bythisplanthehead，whichisreallylarge，isshrunkupalmosttonothing，thebodyismuchreducedandshortened，andthegreatestprominenceisgiventotheflowingplumage。Someofthesenativeskinsareveryclean，andoftenhavewingsandfeetlefton；othersaredreadfullystainedwithsmoke，andallhiveamosterroneousideaoftheproportionsofthelivingbird。
TheParadiseaapoda，asfaraswehaveanycertainknowledge，isconfinedtothemainlandoftheAruIslands，neverbeingfoundinthesmallerislandswhichsurroundthecentralmass。ItiscertainlynotfoundinanyofthepartsofNewGuineavisitedbytheMalayandBugistraders，norinanyoftheotherislandswhereBirdsofParadiseareobtained。Butthisisbynomeansconclusiveevidence，foritisonlyincertainlocalitiesthatthenativesprepareskins，andinotherplacesthesamebirdsmaybeabundantwithouteverbecomingknown。ItisthereforequitepossiblethatthisspeciesmayinhabitthegreatsouthernmassofNewGuinea，fromwhichAruhasbeenseparated；whileitsnearally，whichIshallnextdescribe，isconfinedtothenorth-
westernpeninsula。
TheLesserBirdofParadiseParadiseapapuanaofBechstein，"LepetitEmeraude"ofFrenchauthors，isamuchsmallerbirdthanthepreceding，althoughverysimilartoit。Itdiffersinitslighterbrowncolour，notbecomingdarkerorpurpledonthebreast；intheextensionoftheyellowcolourallovertheupperpartofthebackandonthewingcoverts；inthelighteryellowofthesideplumes，whichhaveonlyatingeoforange，andatthetipsarenearlypurewhite；andinthecomparativeshortnessofthetailcirrhi。ThefemalediffersremarkablyfrontthesamesexinParadiseaapoda，bybeingentirelywhiteontheundersurfaceofthebody，andisthusamuchhandsomerbird。Theyoungmalesaresimilarlycoloured，andastheygrowoldertheychangetobrown，andgothroughthesamestagesinacquiringtheperfectplumageashasalreadybeendescribedinthealliedspecies。Itisthisbirdwhichismostcommonlyusedinladies'head-dressesinthiscountry，andalsoformsanimportantarticleofcommerceintheEast。
TheParadiseapapuanahasacomparativelywiderange，beingthecommonspeciesonthemainlandofNewGuinea，aswellasontheislandsofMysol，Salwatty，Jobie，BiakandSook。OnthesouthcoastofNewGuinea，theDutchnaturalist，Muller，founditattheOetanatariverinlongitude136°E。IobtaineditmyselfatDorey；andthecaptainoftheDutchsteamerEtnainformedmethathehadseenthefeathersamongthenativesofHumboldtBay，in141°E。longitude。Itisveryprobable，therefore，thatitrangesoverthewholeofthemainlandofNewGuinea。
ThetrueParadiseBirdsareomnivorous，feedingonfruitsandinsects——oftheformerpreferringthesmallfigs；ofthelatter，grasshoppers，locusts，andphasmas，aswellascockroachesandcaterpillars。WhenIreturnedhome，in1862，IwassofortunateastofindtwoadultmalesofthisspeciesinSingapore；andastheyseemedhealthy，andfedvoraciouslyonrice，bananas，andcockroaches，Ideterminedongivingtheveryhighpriceaskedforthem——￡100——andtobringthemtoEnglandbytheoverlandrouteundermyowncare。OnmywayhomeIstayedaweekatBombay，tobreakthejourney，andtolayinafreshstockofbananasformybirds。Ihadgreatdifficulty，however，insupplyingthemwithinsectfood，forinthePeninsularandOrientalsteamerscockroacheswerescarce，anditwasonlybysettingtrapsinthestore-rooms，andbyhuntinganhoureverynightintheforecastle，thatIcouldsecureafewdozenofthesecreatures，——
scarcelyenoughforasinglemeal。AtMalta，whereIstayedafortnight，Igotplentyofcockroachesfromabake-house，andwhenIleft，tookwithmeseveralbiscuit-tins'full，asprovisionforthevoyagehome。WecamethroughtheMediterraneaninMarch，withaverycoldwind；andtheonlyplaceonboardthemail-steamerwheretheirlargecagecouldbeaccommodatedwasexposedtoastrongcurrentofairdownahatchwaywhichstoodopendayandnight，yetthebirdsneverseemedtofeelthecold。
DuringthenightjourneyfromMarseillestoParisitwasasharpfrost；yettheyarrivedinLondoninperfecthealth，andlivedintheZoologicalGardensforone，andtwoyears，oftendisplayingtheirbeautifulplumestotheadmirationofthespectators。Itisevident，therefore，thattheParadiseBirdsareveryhardy，andrequireairandexerciseratherthanheat；andIfeelsurethatifagoodsizedconservators`couldbedevotedtothem，oriftheycouldbeturnedlooseinthetropicaldepartmentoftheCrystalPalaceortheGreatPalmHouseatKew，theywouldliveinthiscountryformanyyears。
TheRedBirdofParadiseParadisearubraofViellot，thoughalliedtothetwobirdsalreadydescribed，ismuchmoredistinctfromthemthantheyarefromeachother。ItisaboutthesamesizeasParadiseapapuana13to14incheslong，butdiffersfromitinmanyparticulars。Thesideplumes，insteadofbeingyellow，arerichcrimson，andonlyextendaboutthreeorfourinchesbeyondtheendofthetail；theyaresomewhatrigid，andtheendsarecurveddownwardsandinwards，andaretippedwithwhite。Thetwomiddletailfeathers，insteadofbeingsimplyelongatedanddeprivedoftheirwebs，aretransformedintostiffblackribands，aquarterofaninchwide，butcurvedlikeasplitquill，andresemblingthinhalfcylindersofhornorwhalebone。
Whenadeadbirdislaidonitsback，itisseenthattheseribandstakeacurveorset，whichbringsthemroundsoastomeetinadoublecircleontheneckofthebird；butwhentheyhangdownwards，duringlife，theyassumeaspiraltwist，andformanexceedinglygracefuldoublecurve。Theyareabouttwenty-twoincheslong，andalwaysattractattentionasthemostconspicuousandextraordinaryfeatureofthespecies。Therichmetallicgreencolourofthethroatextendsoverthefronthalfoftheheadtobehindtheeyes，andontheforeheadformsalittledoublecrestofscalyfeathers，whichaddsmuchtothevivacityofthebird'saspect。Thebillisgambogeyellow，andtheirisblackisholive。
Figureatp。353。
Thefemaleofthisspeciesisofatolerablyuniformcoffee-browncolour，buthasablackishhead，andthenapeneck，andshouldersyellow，indicatingthepositionofthebrightercoloursofthemale。Thechangesofplumagefollowthesameorderofsuccessionasintheotherspecies，thebrightcoloursoftheheadandneckbeingfirstdeveloped，thenthelengthenedfilamentsofthetail，andlastofall，theredsideplumes。Iobtainedaseriesofspecimens，illustratingthemannerinwhichtheextraordinaryblacktailribandsaredeveloped，whichisveryremarkable。Theyfirstappearastwoordinaryfeathers，rathershorterthantherestofthetail；thesecondstagewouldnodoubtbethatshowninaspecimenofParadiseaapoda，inwhichthefeathersaremoderatelylengthened，andwiththewebnarrowedinthemiddle；
thethirdstageisshownbyaspecimenwhichhaspartofthemidribbare，andterminatedbyaspatulateweb；inanotherthebaremidribisalittledilatedandsemi-cylindrical，andtheterminalwebverysmall；inafifth，theperfectblackhornyribandisformed，butitbearsatitsextremityabrownspatulateweb，whileinanotheraportionoftheblackribanditselfbears，foraportionofitslength，anarrowbrownweb。Itisonlyafterthesechangesarefullycompletedthattheredsideplumesbegintoappear。
ThesuccessivestagesofdevelopmentofthecoloursandplumageoftheBirdsofParadiseareveryinteresting，fromthestrikingmannerinwhichtheyaccordwiththetheoryoftheirhavingbeenproducedbythesimpleactionofvariation，andthecumulativepowerofselectionbythefemales，ofthosemalebirdswhichweremorethanusuallyornamental。Variationsof_colour_areofallothersthemostfrequentandthemoststriking，andaremosteasilymodifiedandaccumulatedbyman'sselectionofthem。Weshouldexpect，therefore，thatthesexualdifferencesof_colour_
wouldbethosemostearlyaccumulatedandfixed，andwouldthereforeappearsoonestintheyoungbirds；andthisisexactlywhatoccursintheParadiseBirds。Ofallvariationsinthe_form_ofbirds'feathers，nonearesofrequentasthoseintheheadandtail。Theseoccurmore，orlessineveryfamilyofbirds，andareeasilyproducedinmanydomesticatedvarieties，whileunusualdevelopmentsofthefeathersofthebodyarerareinthewholeclassofbirds，andhaveseldomorneveroccurredindomesticatedspecies。Inaccordancewiththesefacts，wefindthescale-formedplumesofthethroat，thecrestsofthehead，andthelongcirrhiofthetail，allfullydevelopedbeforetheplumeswhichspringfromthesideofthebodybegintomanetheirappearance。If，ontheotherhand，themaleParadiseBirdshavenotacquiredtheirdistinctiveplumagebysuccessivevariations，buthavebeenastheyaremowfromthemomenttheyfirstappearedupontheearth，thissuccessionbecomesattheleastunintelligibletous，forwecanseenoreasonwhythechangesshouldnottakeplacesimultaneously，orinareverseordertothatinwhichtheyactuallyoccur。
Whatisknownofthehabitsofthisbird，andthewayinwhichitiscapturedbythenatives，havealreadybeendescribedatpage362。
TheRedBirdofParadiseoffersaremarkablecaseofrestrictedrange，beingentirelyconfinedtothesmallislandofWaigiou，offthenorth-westextremityofNewGuinea，whereitreplacesthealliedspeciesfoundintheotherislands。
Thethreebirdsjustdescribedformawell-markedgroup，agreeingineverypointofgeneralstructure，intheircomparativelylargesize，thebrowncolouroftheirbodies，wings，andtail，andinthepeculiarcharacteroftheornamentalplumagewhichdistinguishesthemalebird。ThegrouprangesnearlyoverthewholeareainhabitedbythefamilyoftheParadiseidae，buteachofthespecieshasitsownlimitedregion，andisneverfoundinthesamedistrictwitheitherofitscloseallies。TothesethreebirdsproperlybelongsthegenerictitleParadisea，ortrueParadiseBird。
ThenextspeciesistheParadisearegiaofLinnaeus，orDingBirdofParadise，whichdifferssomuchfromthethreeprecedingspeciesastodeserveadistinctgenericname，andithasaccordinglybeencalledCicinnurusregius。BytheMalaysitiscalled"Burongrajah，"orKingBird，andbythenativesoftheAruIslands"Goby-goby。"
Thislovelylittlebirdisonlyaboutsixandahalfincheslong，partlyowingtotheveryshorttail，whichdoesnotsurpassthesomewhatsquarewings。Thehead，throat，andentireuppersurfaceareoftherichestglossycrimsonred，shadingtoorange-crimsonontheforehead，wherethefeathersextendbeyondthenostrilsmorethanhalf-waydownthebeak。Theplumageisexcessivelybrilliant，shiningincertainlightswithametallicorglassylustre。Thebreastandbellyarepuresilkywhite，betweenwhichcolourandtheredofthethroatthereisabroadbandofrichmetallicgreen，andthereisasmallspotofthesamecolourcloseaboveeacheye。Fromeachsideofthebodybeneaththewing，springsatuftofbroaddelicatefeathersaboutaninchandahalflong，ofanashycolour，buttippedwithabroadbandofemeraldgreen，borderedwithinbyanarrowlineofbuff：Theseplumesareconcealedbeneaththewing，butwhenthebirdpleases，canberaisedandspreadoutsoastoformanelegantsemicircularfanoneachshoulder。Butanotherornamentstillmoreextraordinary，andifpossiblemorebeautiful，adornsthislittlebird。Thetwomiddletailfeathersaremodifiedintoveryslenderwirelikeshafts，nearlysixincheslong，eachofwhichbearsattheextremity，ontheinnersideonly，awebofanemeraldgreencolour，whichiscoiledupintoaperfectspiraldisc，andproducesamostsingularandcharmingeffect。Thebillisorangeyellow，andthefeetandlegsofafinecobaltblue。
Seeupperfigureontheplateatthecommencementofthischapter。
Thefemaleofthislittlegemissuchaplainlycolouredbird，thatitcanatfirstsighthardlybebelievedtobelongtothesamespecies。Theuppersurfaceisofadullearthybrown，aslighttingeoforangeredappearingonlyonthemarginsofthequills。Beneath，itisofapaleryellowishbrown，scaledandbandedwithnarrowduskymarkings。Theyoungmalesareexactlylikethefemale，andtheynodoubtundergoaseriesofchangesassingularasthoseofParadisearubra；but，unfortunately，Iwasunabletoobtainillustrativespecimens。
Thisexquisitelittlecreaturefrequentsthesmallertreesinthethickestpartsoftheforest，feedingonvariousfruits；oftenofaverylargesizeforsosmallabird。Itisveryactivebothonitswingsandfeet，andmakesawhirringsoundwhileflying，somethingliketheSouthAmericanmanakins。Itoftenfluttersitswingsanddisplaysthebeautifulfanwhichadornsitsbreast，whilethestar-bearingtailwiresdivergeinanelegantdoublecurve。ItistolerablyplentifulintheAruIslands，whichledtoit，beingbroughttoEuropeatanearlyperiodalongwithParadiseaapoda。ItalsooccursintheislandofMysolandineverypartofNewGuineawhichhasbeenvisitedbynaturalists。
Wenowcometotheremarkablelittlebirdcalledthe"Magnificent，"firstfiguredbyBuffon，andnamedParadiseaspeciosabyBoddaert，which，withonealliedspecies，hasbeenformedintoaseparategenusbyPrinceBuonaparte，underthenameofDiphyllodes，fromthecuriousdoublemantlewhichclothestheback。
Theheadiscoveredwithshortbrownvelvetyfeathers，whichadvanceonthebacksoastocoverthenostrils。Fromthenapespringsadensemassoffeathersofastraw-yellowcolour，andaboutoneandahalfincheslong，formingamantleovertheupperpartoftheback。Beneaththis，andformingabandaboutone-
thirdofaninchbeyondit，isasecondmantleofrich，glossy，reddish-brownfathers。Therestofthebathisorange-brown，thetail-covertsandtaildarkbronzy，thewingslightorange-buff：
Thewholeundersurfaceiscoveredwithanabundanceofplumagespringingfromthemarginsofthebreast，andofarichdeepgreencolour，withchangeablehuesofpurple。Downthemiddleofthebreastisabroadbandofscalyplumesofthesamecolour，whilethechinandthroatareofarichmetallicbronze。Fromthemiddleofthetailspringtwonarrowfeathersofarichsteelblue，andabouttenincheslong。Thesearewebbedontheinnersideonly，andcurveoutward，soastoformadoublecircle。
Fromwhatweknowofthehabitsofalliedspecies，wemaybesurethatthegreatlydevelopedplumageofthisbirdiserectedanddisplayedinsomeremarkablemanner。Themassoffeathersontheundersurfaceareprobablyexpandedintoahemisphere，whilethebeautifulyellowmantleisnodoubtelevatedsoastogivethebirdaverydifferentappearancefromthatwhichitpresentsinthedriedandflattenedskinsofthenatives，throughwhichaloneitisatpresentknown。Thefeetappeartobedarkblue。
ThisrareandelegantlittlebirdisfoundonlyonthemainlandofNewGuinea，andintheislandofMysol。
AstillmorerareandbeautifulspeciesthanthelastistheDiphyllodeswilsoni，describedbyMr。CassinfromanativeskinintherichmuseumofPhiladelphia。Thesamebirdwasafterwardsnamed"Diphyllodesrespublica"byPrinceBuonaparte，andstilllater，"Schlegeliacalva，"byDr。Bernstein，whowassofortunateastoobtainfreshspecimensinWaigiou。
Inthisspeciestheuppermantleissulphuryellow，theloweroneandthewingspurered，thebreastplumesdarkgreen，andthelengthenedmiddletailfeathersmuchshorterthaninthealliedspecies。Themostcuriousdifferenceis，however，thatthetopoftheheadisbald，thebareskinbeingofarichcobaltblue，crossedbyseverallinesofblackvelvetyfeathers。
ItisaboutthesamesizeasDiphyllodesspeciosa，andisnodoubtentirelyconfinedtotheislandofWaigiou。Thefemale，asfiguredanddescribedbyDr。Bernstein，isverylikethatofCicinnurusregius，beingsimilarlybandedbeneath；andwemaythereforeconcludethatitsnearally，the"Magnificent，"isatleastequallyplaininthissex，ofwhichspecimenshavenotyetbeenobtained。
TheSuperbBirdofParadisewasfirstfiguredbyBuffon，andwasnamedbyBoddaert，Paradiseaatra，fromtheblackgroundcolourofitsplumage。ItformsthegenusLophorinaofViellot，andisoneoftherarestandmostbrilliantofthewholegroup，beingonlyknownfrontmutilatednativeskins。ThisbirdisalittlelargerthantheMagnificent。Thegroundcolouroftheplumageisintenseblack，butwithbeautifulbronzereflectionsontheneck，andthewholeheadscaledwithfeathersofbrilliantmetallicgreenandblue。Overitsbreastitbearsashieldformedofnarrowandratherstifffeathers，muchelongatedtowardsthesides，ofapurebluish-greencolour，andwithasatinygloss。
Butastillmoreextraordinaryornamentisthatwhichspringsfromthebackoftheneck，——ashieldofasimilarformtothatonthebreast，butmuchlarger，andofavelvetyblackcolour，glossedwithbronzeandpurple。Theoutermostfeathersofthisshieldarehalfaninchlongerthanthewing，andwhenitiselevateditmust，inconjunctionwiththebreastshield，completelychangetheformandwholeappearanceofthebird。Thebillisblack，andthefeetappeartobeyellow。
ThiswonderfullittlebirdinhabitstheinteriorofthenorthernpeninsulaofNewGuineaonly。NeitherInorMr。Allencouldhearanythingofitinanyoftheislandsoronanypartofthecoast。
Itistruethatitwasobtainedfromthecoast-nativesbyLesson；
butwhenatSorongin1861，Mr。Allenlearntthatitisonlyfoundthreedays'journeyintheinterior。Owingtothese"BlackBirdsofParadise，"astheyarecalled，notbeingsomuchvaluedasarticlesofmerchandise，theynowseemtoberarelypreservedbythenatives，anditthushappenedthatduringseveralyearsspentonthecoastsofNewGuineaandintheMoluccasIwasneverabletoobtainaskin。Wearethereforequiteignorantofthehabitsofthisbird，andalsoofitsfemale，thoughthelatterisnodoubtasplainandinconspicuousasinalltheotherspeciesofthisfamily。
TheGolden，orSix-shafted，ParadiseBird，isanotherrarespecies，firstfiguredbyBuffon，andneveryetobtainedinperfectcondition。ItwasnamedbyBoddaert，Paradiseasexpennis，andformsthegenusParotiaofViellot。ThiswonderfulbirdisaboutthesizeofthefemaleParadisearubra。Theplumageappear，atfirstsightblack，butitglowsincertainlightwithbronzeanddeeppurple。Thethroatandbreastarescaledwithbroadflatfeathersofanintensegoldenhue，changingtogreenandbluetintsincertainlights。Onthebackoftheheadisabroadrecurvedbandoffeathers，whosebrilliancyisindescribable，resemblingthesheenofemeraldandtopazratherthananyorganicsubstance。Overtheforeheadisalargepatchofpurewhitefeathers，whichshinelikesatin；andfromthesidesoftheheadspringthesixwonderfulfeathersfromwhichthebirdreceivesitsname。Theseareslenderwires，sixincheslong，withasmallovalwebattheextremity。Inadditiontotheseornaments，thereisalsoanimmensetuftofsoftfeathersoneachsideofthebreast，whichwhenelevatedmustentirelyhidethewings，andgivethebirdauappearanceofbeingdoubleitsrealbulk。Thebillisblack，short，andrathercompressed，withthefeathersadvancingoverthenostrils，asinCicinnurusregius。ThissingularandbrilliantbirdinhabitsthesameregionastheSuperbBirdofParadise，andnothingwhateverisknownaboutitbutwhatwecanderivefromanexaminationoftheskinspreservedbythenativesofNewGuinea。
TheStandardWing，namedSemiopterawallaceibyMr。G。R。Gray，isanentirelynewformofBirdofParadise，discoveredbymyselfintheislandofBatchian，andespeciallydistinguishedbyapairoflongnarrowfeathersofawhitecolour，whichspringfromamongtheshortplumeswhichclothethebendofthewing，andarecapableofbeingerectedatpleasure。Thegeneralcolourofthisbirdisadelicateolive-brown，deepeningtoaloudofbronzyoliveinthemiddleoftheback，andchangingtoadelicateashyvioletwithametallicgloss，onthecrownofthehead。Thefeathers，whichcoverthenostrilsandextendhalf-waydownthebeak，arelooseandcurvedupwards。Beneath，itismuchmorebeautiful。Thescale-likefeathersofthebreastaremarginedwithrichmetallicblue-green，whichcolourentirelycoversthethroatandsidesoftheneck，aswellasthelongpointedplumeswhichspringfromthesidesofthebreast，andextendnearlyasfarastheendofthewings。Themostcuriousfeatureofthebird，however，andonealtogetheruniqueinthewholeclass，isfoundinthepairoflongnarrowdelicatefeatherswhichspringfromeachwingclosetothebend。Onliftingthewing-covertstheyareseentoarisefromtwotubularhornysheaths，whichdivergefromnearthepointofjunctionofthecarpalbones。Asalreadydescribedatp。41，theyareerectile，andwhenthebirdisexcitedarespreadoutatrightanglestothewingandslightlydivergent。Theyarefromsixtosixandahalfincheslong，theupperoneslightlyexceedingthelower。Thetotallengthofthebirdiseleveninches。Thebillishornyolive，theirisdeepolive，andthefeetbrightorange。
Thefemalebirdisremarkablyplain，beingentirelyofadullpaleearthybrown，withonlyaslighttingeofashyvioletontheheadtorelieveitsgeneralmonotony；andtheyoungmalesexactlyresembleher。Seefiguresatp。41。
Thisbird，frequentsthelowertreesoftheforests，and，likemostParadiseBirds，isinconstantmotion——flyingfrombranchtobranch，clingingtothetwigsandeventothesmoothandverticaltrunksalmostaseasilyasawoodpecker。Itcontinuallyuttersaharsh，creakingnote，somewhatintermediatebetweenthatofParadiseaapoda，andthemoremusicalcryofCicinnurusregius。
Themalesatshortintervalsopenandfluttertheirwings，erectthelongshoulderfeathers，andspreadouttheelegantgreenbreastshields。
TheStandardWingisfoundinGiloloaswellasinBatchian，andallthespecimensfromtheformerislandhavethegreenbreastshieldratherlonger，thecrownoftheheaddarkerviolet，andthelowerpartsofthebodyrathermorestronglyscaledwithgreen。ThisistheonlyParadiseBirdyetfoundintheMoluccandistrict，alltheothersbeingconfinedtothePapuanIslandsandNorthAustralia。
WenowcometotheEpimachidae，orLong-billedBirdsofParadise，which，asbeforestated，oughtnottobeseparatedfromtheParadiseidaebytheinterventionofanyotherbirds。OneofthemostremarkableoftheseistheTwelve-wiredParadiseBird，ParadisesalbaofBlumenbach，butnowplacedinthegenusSeleucidesofLesson。
Thisbirdisabouttwelveincheslong，ofwhichthecompressedandcurvedbeakoccupiestwoinches。Thecolourofthebreastanduppersurfaceappearsatfirstsightnearlyblack，butacloseexaminationshowsthatnopartofitisdevoidofcolour；andbyholdingitinvariouslights，themostrichandglowingtintsbecomevisible。Thehead，coveredwithshortvelvetyfeathers，whichadvanceonthechicmuchfurtherthanontheupperpartofthebeak，isofapurplishbronzecolour；thewholeofthebackandshouldersisrichbronzygreen，whiletheclosedwingsandtailareofthemostbrilliantvioletpurple，alltheplumagehavingadelicatesilkygloss。Themassoffeatherswhichcoverthebreastisreallyalmostblack，withfaintglossesofgreenandpurple，buttheirouteredgesaremarginedwithglitteringbandsofemeraldgreen。Thewholelowerpartofthebodyisrichbuffyyellow，includingthetuftofplumeswhichspringfromthesides，andextendaninchandahalfbeyondthetail。Whenskinsareexposedtothelighttheyellowfadesintodullwhite，fromwhichcircumstanceitderiveditsspecificname。Aboutsixoftheinnermostoftheseplumesoneachsidehavethemidribelongatedintoslenderblackwires，whichbendatrightangles，andcurvesomewhatbackwardstoalengthofaboutteninches，formingoneofthoseextraordinaryandfantasticornamentswithwhichthisgroupofbirdsabounds。Thebillisjetblack，andthefeetbrightyellow。Seelowerfigureontheplateatthebeginningofthischapter。
Thefemale，althoughnotquitesoplainabirdasinsomeotherspecies，presentsnoneofthegaycoloursorornamentalplumageofthemale。Thetopoftheheadandbackoftheneckareblack，therestoftheupperpartsrichreddishbrown；whiletheundersurfaceisentirelyyellowishashy，somewhatblackishonthebreast，andcrossedthroughoutwithnarrowblackishwavybands。
TheSeleucidesalbaisfoundintheislandofSalwatty，andinthenorth-westernpartsofNewGuinea，whereitfrequentsfloweringtrees，especiallysago-palmsandpandani，suckingtheflowers，roundandbeneathwhichitsunusuallylargeandpowerfulfeetenableittocling。Itsmotionsareveryrapid。Itseldomrestsmorethanafewmomentsononetree，afterwhichitfliesstraightoff，andwithgreatswiftness，toanother。Ithasaloudshrillcry，tobeheardalongway，consistingof"Cah，cah，"
repeatedfiveorsixtimesinadescendingscale，andatthelastnoteitgenerallyfliesaway。Themalesarequitesolitaryintheirhabits，although，perhaps，theyassembleatpertaintimeslikethetrueParadiseBirds。AllthespecimensshotandopenedbymyassistantMr。Allen，whoobtainedthisfinebirdduringhislastvoyagetoNewGuinea，hadnothingintheirstomachsbutabrownsweetliquid，probablythenectaroftheflowersonwhichtheyhadbeenfeeding。Theycertainly，however，eatbothfruitandinsects，foraspecimenwhichIsawaliveonboardaDutchsteameratecockroachesandpapayafruitvoraciously。Thisbirdhadthecurioushabitofrestingatnoonwiththebillpointingverticallyupwards。ItdiedonthepassagetoBatavia，andI
securedthebodyandformedaskeleton，whichshowsindisputablythatitisreallyaBirdofParadise。Thetongueisverylongandextensible，butflatandlittlefibrousattheend，exactlylikethetrueParadiseas。
IntheislandofSalwatty，thenativessearchintheforeststilltheyfindthesleepingplaceofthisbird，whichtheyknowbyseeingitsdungupontheground。Itisgenerallyinalowbushytree。Atnighttheyclimbupthetrap，andeithershootthebirdswithbluntarrows，orevencatchthemalivewithacloth。InNewGuineatheyarecaughtbyplacingsnaresonthetreesfrequentedbythem，inthesamewayastheRedParadisebirdsarecaughtinWaigiou，andwhichhasalreadybeendescribedatpage362。
ThegreatEpimaque，orLong-tailedParadiseBirdEpimachusmagnus，isanotherofthesewonderfulcreatures，onlyknownbytheimperfectskinspreparedbythenatives。Initsdarkvelvetyplumage，glowedwithbronzeandpurple，itresemblestheSeleucidesalba，butitbearsamagnificenttailmorethantwofeetlong，glossedontheuppersurfacewiththemostintenseopalescentblue。Itschiefornament，however，consistsinthegroupofbroadplumeswhichspringfromthesidesofthebreast，andwhicharedilatedattheextremity，andbandedwiththemostvividmetallicblueandgreen。Thebillislongandcurved，andthefeetblack，andsimilartothoseofthealliedforms。Thetotallengthofthisfinebirdisbetweenthreeandfourfeet。
ThissplendidbirdinhabitsthemountainsofNewGuinea，inthesamedistrictwiththeSuperbandtheSix-shaftedParadiseBirds，andIwasinformedissometimesfoundintherangesnearthecoast。Iwasseveraltimesassuredbydifferentnativesthatthisbirdmakesitsnestinaholeunderground，orunderrocks，alwayschoosingaplacewithtwoapertures，sothatitmayenteratoneandgooutattheother。Thisisveryunlikewhatweshouldsupposetobethehabitsofthebird，butitisnoteasytoconceivehowthestoryoriginatedifitisnottrue；andalltravellersknowthatnativeaccountsofthehabitsofanimals，howeverstrangetheymayseem，almostinvariablyturnouttobecorrect。
TheScale-breastedParadiseBirdEpimachusmagnificusofCuvier
isnowgenerallyplacedwiththeAustralianRiflebirdsinthegenusPtiloris。Thoughverybeautiful，thesebirdsarelessstrikinglydecoratedwithaccessoryplumagethantheotherspecieswehavebeendescribing，theirchiefornamentbeingamoreorlessdevelopedbreastplateofstiffmetallicgreenfeathers，andasmalltuftofsomewhathairyplumesonthesidesofthebreast。Thebackandwingsofthisspeciesareofanintensevelvetyblack，faintlyglossedincertainlightswithrichpurple。Thetwobroadmiddletailfeathersareopalescentgreen-bluewithavelvetysurface，andthetopoftheheadiscoveredwithfeathersresemblingscalesofburnishedsteel。A
largetriangularspacecoveringthechin，throat，andbreast，isdenselyscaledwithfeathers，havingasteel-blueorgreenlustre，andasilkyfeel。Thisisedgedbelowwithanarrowbandofblack，followedbyshinybronzygreen，belowwhichthebodyiscoveredwithhairyfeathersofarichclaretcolour，deepeningtoblackatthetail。ThetuftsofsideplumessomewhatresemblethoseofthetrueBirdsofParadise，butarescanty，aboutaslongasthetail，andofablackcolour。Thesidesoftheheadarerichviolet，andvelvetyfeathersextendoneachsideofthebeakoverthenostrils。
IobtainedatDoreyayoungmaleofthisbird，inastateofplumagewhichisnodoubtthatoftheadultfemale，asisthecaseinallthealliedspecies。Theuppersurface，wings，andtailarerichreddishbrown，whiletheundersurfaceisofapaleashycolour，closelybarredthroughoutwithnarrowwavyblackbands。Thereisalsoapalebandedstripeovertheeye，andalongduskystripefromthegapedowneachsideoftheneck。Thisbirdisfourteenincheslong，whereasthenativeskinsoftheadultmaleareonlyaboutteninches，owingtothewayinwhichthetailispushedin，soastogiveasmuchprominenceaspossibletotheornamentalplumageofthebreast。
AtCapeYork，inNorthAustralia，thereisacloselyalliedspecies，Ptilorisalberti，thefemaleofwhichisverysimilartotheyoungmalebirdheredescribed。ThebeautifulRifleBirdsofAustralia，whichmuchresemblethoseParadiseBirds，arenamedPtilorisparadiseusandPtilorisvictories，TheScale-breastedParadiseBirdseemstobeconfinedtothemainlandofNewGuinea，andislessrarethanseveraloftheotherspecies。
TherearethreeotherNewGuineabirdswhicharebysomeauthorsclassedwiththeBirdsofParadise，andwhich，beingalmostequallyremarkableforsplendidplumage，deservetobenoticedhere。ThefirstistheParadisepieAstrapianigraofLesson，abirdofthesizeofParadisesrubra，butwithaverylongtail，glossedabovewithintenseviolet。Thebackisbronzyblack，thelowerpartsgreen，thethroatandneckborderedwithloosebroadfeathersofanintensecopperyhue，whileonthetopoftheheadandnecktheyareglitteringemeraldgreen，Alltheplumageroundtheheadislengthenedanderectile，andwhenspreadoutbythelivingbirdmustlaveaneffecthardlysurpassedbyanyofthetrueParadisebirds。Thebillisblackandthefeetyellow。TheAstrapiaseemstometobesomewhatintermediatebetweentheParadiseidaeandEpimachidae。
Thereisanalliedspecies，havingabarecarunculatedhead，whichhasbeencalledParadigallacarunculata。Itisbelievedtoinhabit，withthepreceding，themountainous，interiorofNewGuinea，butisexceedinglyrare，theonlyknownspecimenbeinginthePhiladelphiaMuseum。
TheParadiseOrioleisanotherbeautifulbird，whichisnowsometimesclassedwiththeBirdsofParadise。IthasbeennamedParadisesaureaandOriolusaureusbytheoldnaturalists，andisnowgenerallyplacedinthesamegenusastheRegentBirdofAustraliaSericuluschrysocephalus。Buttheformofthebillandthecharacteroftheplumageseemtometobesodifferentthatitwillhavetoformadistinctgenus。Thisbirdisalmostentirelyyellow，withtheexceptionofthethroat，thetail，andpartofthewingsandback，whichareblack；butitischieflycharacterisedbyaquantityoflongfeathersofanintenseglossyorangecolour，whichcoveritsneckdowntothemiddleoftheback，almostlikethehacklesofagame-cock。
ThisbeautifulbirdinhabitsthemainlandofNewGuinea，andisalsofoundinSalwatty，butissorarethatIwasonlyabletoobtainoneimperfectnativeskin，andnothingwhateverisknownofitshabits。
IwillnowgivealistofalltheBirdsofParadiseyetknown，withtheplacestheyarebelievedtoinhabit。
1。ParadiseaapodaTheGreatParadiseBird。AruIslands。
2。ParadiseapapuanaTheLesserParadiseBird。NewGuinea，Mysol，Jobie。
3。ParadisearubraTheRedParadiseBird。Waigiou，4。CicinnurusregiusTheKingParadiseBird。NewGuinea，AruIslands，Mysol，Salwatty。
5。DiphyllodesspeciosaTheMagnificent。NewGuinea，Mysol，Salwatty。
6。DiphyllodeswilsoniTheRedMagnificent。Waigiou。
7。LophorinaatraTheSuperb。NewGuinea。
8。ParotiasexpennisTheGoldenParadiseBird。NewGuinea。
9。SemiopterawallaceiTheStandardWing。Batchian，Gilolo。
10。EpimachusmagnusTheLong-tailedParadiseBird。NewGuinea11。SeleucidesalbsTheTwelve-wiredParadiseBird。NewGuinea，Salwatty。
12。PtilorismagnificaTheScale-breastedParadiseBird。NewGuinea。
13。PtilorisalbertiPrinceAlbert'sParadiseBird。NorthAustralia。
14。PtilorisParadiseaTheRifleBird。EastAustralia。
15。PtilorisvictoriaeTheVictorianRifleBird。North-EastAustralia。
16。AstrapianigraTheParadisePie。NewGuinea。
17。ParadigallacarunculataTheCarunculatedParadisePie。NewGuinea。
I8。？SericulusaureusTheParadiseOriole。NewGuinea，Salwatty。
Wesee，therefore，thatoftheeighteenspecieswhichseemtodeserveaplaceamongtheBirdsofParadise，elevenareknowntoinhabitthegreatislandofNewGuinea，eightofwhichareentirelyconfinedtoitandthehardlyseparatedislandofSalwatty。ButifweconsiderthoseislandswhicharenowunitedtoNewGuineabyashallowseatoreallyformapartofit，weshallfindthatfourteenoftheParadiseBirdsbelongtothatcountry，whilethreeinhabitthenorthernandeasternpartsofAustralia，andonetheMoluccas。Allthemoreextraordinaryandmagnificentspeciesare，however，entirelyconfinedtothePapuanregion。
AlthoughIdevotedsomuchtimetoasearchafterthesewonderfulbirds，IonlysucceededmyselfinobtainingfivespeciesduringaresidenceofmanymonthsintheAruIslands，NewGuinea，andWaigiou。Mr。Allen'svoyagetoMysoldidnotprocureasingleadditionalspecies，butwebothheardofaplacecalledSorong，onthemainlandofNewGuinea，nearSalwatty，whereweweretoldthatallthekindswedesiredcouldbeobtained。Wethereforedeterminedthatheshouldvisitthisplace，andendeavourtopenetrateintotheinterioramongthenatives，whoactuallyshootandskintheBirdsofParadise。HewentinthesmallprauIhadfittedupatGoram，andthroughthekindassistanceoftheDutchResidentatTernate，alieutenantandtwosoldiersweresentbytheSultanofTidoretoaccompanyandprotecthim，andtoassisthimingettingmenandinvisitingtheinterior。
Notwithstandingtheseprecautions，Mr。Allenmetwithdifficultiesinthisvoyagewhichwehadneitherofusencounteredbefore。Tounderstandthese，itisnecessarytoconsiderthattheBirdsofParadiseareanarticleofcommerce，andarethemonopolyofthechiefsofthecoastvillages，whoobtainthematalowratefromthemountaineers，andsellthemtotheBugistraders。AportionisalsopaideveryyearastributetotheSultanofTidore。Thenativesarethereforeveryjealousofastranger，especiallyaEuropean，interferingintheirtrade，andaboveallofgoingintotheinteriortodealwiththemountaineersthemselves。Theyofcoursethinkhewillraisethepricesintheinterior，andlessenthesupplyonthecoast，greatlytotheirdisadvantage；theyalsothinktheirtributewillberaisedifaEuropeantakesbackaquantityoftheraresorts；
andtheyhavebesidesavagueandverynaturaldreadofsomeulteriorobjectinawhiteman'scomingatsomuchtroubleandexpensetotheircountryonlytogetBirdsofParadise，ofwhichtheyknowhecanbuyplentyofthecommonyellowoneswhichalonetheyvalueatTernate，Macassar，orSingapore。
ItthushappenedthatwhenMr。AllenarrivedatSorong，andexplainedhisintentionofgoingtoseekBirdsofParadiseintheinterior，innumerableobjectionswereraised。Hewastolditwasthreeorfourdays'journeyoverswampsandmountains；thatthemountaineersweresavagesandcannibals，whowouldcertainlykillhim；and，lastly，thatnotamaninthevillagecouldbefoundwhodaregowithhim。Aftersomedaysspentinthesediscussions，ashestillpersistedinmakingtheattempt，andshowedthemhisauthorityfromtheSultanofTidoretogowherebepleasedandreceiveeveryassistance，theyatlengthprovidedhimwithaboattogothefirstpartofthejourneyupariver；atthesametime，however，theysentprivateorderstotheinteriorvillagestorefusetosellanyprovisions，soastocompelhimtoreturn。Onarrivingatthevillagewheretheyweretoleavetheriverandstrikeinland，thecoastpeoplereturned，leavingMr。Allentogetonashecould。HerehecalledontheTidorelieutenanttoassisthim，andprocuremenasguidesandtocarryhisbaggagetothevillagesofthemountaineers。This，however，wasnotsoeasilydone。Aquarreltookplace，andthenatives，refusingtoobeytheimperiousordersofthelieutenant，gotouttheirknivesandspearstoattackhimandhissoldiers；andMr。Allenhimselfwasobligedtointerferetoprotectthosewhohadcometoguardhim。Therespectduetoawhitemanandthetimelydistributionofafewpresentsprevailed；and，onshowingtheknives，hatchets，andbeadshewaswillingtogivetothosewhoaccompaniedhim，peacewasrestored，andthenextday，travellingoverafrightfullyruggedcountry，theyreachedthevillagesofthemountaineers。HereMr。Allenremainedamonthwithoutanyinterpreterthroughwhomhecouldunderstandawordorcommunicateawant。However，bysignsandpresentsandaprettyliberalbarter，hegotonverywell，someofthemaccompanyinghimeverydayintheforesttoshoot，andreceivingasmallpresentwhenhewassuccessful。
InthegrandmatteroftheParadiseBirds，however，littlewasdone。Onlyoneadditionalspecieswasfound，theSeleucidesalba，ofwhichbehadalreadyobtainedaspecimeninSalwatty；buthelearntthattheotherkinds'ofwhichbeshowedthemdrawings，werefoundtwoorthreedays'journeyfartherintheinterior。
WhenIsentmymenfromDoreytoAmberbaki，theyheardexactlythesamestory——thattherarersortswereonlyfoundseveraldays'journeyintheinterior，amongruggedmountains，andthattheskinswerepreparedbysavagetribeswhohadneverevenbeenseenbyanyofthecoastpeople。
ItseemsasifNaturehadtakenprecautionsthattheseherchoicesttreasuresshouldnotbemadetoocommon，andthusbeundervalued。ThisnortherncoastofNewGuineaisexposedtothefullswellofthePacificOcean，andisruggedandharbourless。
Thecountryisallrockyandmountainous，coveredeverywherewithdenseforests，offeringinitsswampsandprecipicesandserratedridgesanalmostimpassablebarriertotheunknowninterior；andthepeoplearedangeroussavages，intheveryloweststageofbarbarism。Insuchacountry，andamongsuchapeople，arefoundthesewonderfulproductionsofNature，theBirdsofParadise，whoseexquisitebeautyofformandcolourandstrangedevelopmentsofplumagearecalculatedtoexcitethewonderandadmirationofthemostcivilizedandthemostintellectualofmankind，andtofurnishinexhaustiblematerialsforstudytothenaturalist，andforspeculationtothephilosopher。
Thusendedmysearchafterthesebeautifulbirds。Fivevoyagestodifferentpartsofthedistricttheyinhabit，eachoccupyinginitspreparationandexecutionthelargerpartofayear，producedmeonlyfivespeciesoutofthefourteenknowntoexistintheNewGuineadistrict。ThekindsobtainedarethosethatinhabitthecoastsofNewGuineaanditsislands，theremainderseemingtobestrictlyconfinedtothecentralmountain-rangesofthenorthernpeninsula；andourresearchesatDoreyandAmberbaki，nearoneendofthispeninsula，andatSalwattyandSorong，neartheother，enablemetodecidewithsomecertaintyonthenativecountryoftheserareandlovelybirds，goodspecimensofwhichhaveneveryetbeenseeninEurope。
Itmustbeconsideredassomewhatextraordinarythat，duringfiveyears'residenceandtravelinCelebes，theMoluccas，andNewGuinea，IshouldneverhavebeenabletopurchaseskinsofhalfthespecieswhichLesson，fortyyearsago，obtainedduringafewweeksinthesamecountries。Ibelievethatall，exceptthecommonspeciesofcommerce，arenowmuchmoredifficulttoobtainthantheywereeventwentyyearsago；andIimputeitprincipallytotheirhavingbeensoughtafterbytheDutchofficialsthroughtheSultanofTidore。ThechiefsoftheannualexpeditionstocollecttributehavehadorderstogetalltheraresortsofParadiseBirds；andastheypaylittleornothingforthemitbeingsufficienttosaytheyarefortheSultan，theheadmenofthecoastvillageswouldforthefuturerefusetopurchasethemfromthemountaineers，andconfinethemselvesinsteadtothecommonerspecies，whicharelesssoughtafterbyamateurs，butareamoreprofitablemerchandise。Thesamecausesfrequentlyleadtheinhabitantsofuncivilizedcountriestoconcealmineralsorothernaturalproductswithwhichtheymaybecomeacquainted，fromthefearofbeingobligedtopayincreasedtribute，orofbringinguponthemselvesanewandoppressivelabour。
CHAPTERXXXIX。
THENATURALHISTORYOFTHEPAPUANISLANDS。
NEWGUINEA，withtheislandsjoinedtoitbyashallowsea，constitutethePapuangroup，characterisedbyaverycloseresemblanceintheirpeculiarformsoflife。Havingalready，inmychaptersontheAruIslandsandontheBirdsofParadise，givensomedetailsofthenaturalhistoryofthisdistrict，I
shallhereconfinemyselftoageneralsketchofitsanimalproductions，andoftheirrelationstothoseoftherestoftheworld。
NewGuineaisperhapsthelargestislandontheglobe，beingalittlelargerthanBorneo。Itisnearlyfourteenhundredmileslong，andinthewidestpartfourhundredbroad，andseemstobeeverywherecoveredwithluxuriantforests。Almosteverythingthatisyetknownofitsnaturalproductionscomesfromthenorth-
westernpeninsula，andafewislandsgroupedaroundit。Thesedonotconstituteatenthpartoftheareaofthewholeisland，andaresocutofffromit，thattheirfaunamaywellhesomewhatdifferent；yettheyhaveproduceduswithaverypartialexplorationnolessthantwohundredandfiftyspeciesoflandbirds，almostallunknownelsewhere，andcomprisingsomeofthemostcuriousandmostbeautifulofthefeatheredtribes。Itisneedlesstosayhowmuchinterestattachestothefarlargerunknownportionofthisgreatisland，thegreatestterraincognitathatstillremainsforthenaturalisttoexplore，andtheonlyregionwherealtogethernewandunimaginedformsoflifemayperhapsbefound。Thereisnow，Iamhappytosay，somechancethatthisgreatcountrywillnolongerremainabsolutelyunknowntous。TheDutchGovernmenthavegrantedwell-equippedsteamertocarryanaturalistMr。Rosenberg，alreadymentionedinthisworkandassistantstoNewGuinea，wheretheyaretospendsomeyearsincircumnavigatingtheisland，ascendingitslargeriversa