The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-03-12
BIRDS OF PARADISE.


the world, SO birds have their place
among living animals, and seem created
for the display of beauty. Indeed, they
rival the flowers in variety and brillian-
cy of color, especially our tropical birds.
Then, too, the grace of their movements
and their sweet songs give an added and
indescribable charm.
Among the most brilliant members of
the feathered tribes are those called
Birds of Paradise The natives of the
Molucca Islands give them the name of
Gods Birds, as being superior to all He
las made. "Not even the humming
birds themselves" says one, "present
such an inexhaustible treasury of form
and color as is found among the COM
paratively few species of the Birds of
Paradise. In all the feathers glow with
Respondent radiance, in nearly all there
is some strange and altogether unique
arrangement OF the plumage, and in
many the features are modified into
plumes, ribbons and streamers that pro-
duce the most surprisingly lovely eff
fectS.
The Great Emerald Paradise Bird. is
described as u most elegant bird.
From the tip of the bill to the end of
the long side feathers is about two feet,
but to the end of the real tail about
twelve inches; the size of the bird be-
ing that of the thrush. The bill is
slightly bent, and of greenish color;
the base surrounded, for the distance of
half an inch. with close set, velvet-like
black plumes, with varying luster of
golden green. The head, together with
the back part of the neck, is pale gold
color, the throat and fore part of the
neck of the richest changeable gold
green. The whole remainder of the
plumage on the body and the tail is of
fine deep chestnut, except on the
breast which is a deep purplish color.
From the upper part of each side of
the body, beneath the wings, springs a
vast assemblage of extremely long,
loose, broad floating plumes of the most
delicate texture and appearance, in
some specimens of a bright, deep yell
low, in others OF paler hue, but most
of these marked oy few longitudinal
dark red spots. And from the middle
of the rump spring pair of naked
shafts, considerably exceeding in length
even the long loose plumes of the side.
"This bird is a native of the Molucca
Islands, and the islands around New
Guinea, particularly in the Aroo. La
than mentions that specimen was
once brought alive to England, and it
is occasionally brought to Macao, in
China. .r
THE chiefs of the countries where
they are found use them in their tur-
bans. And in many parts of the East.
as well as in this country, they are used
as ornaments in ladies' hats and head
dresses"
There is one species called King Bird
of Paradise. 1t is thought to be the
smallest of all these birds. about the
size of lark. 1t is almost impossible
to give an adequate idea of the brill
fancy of its velvet-like plumage of
blood-red, green, white, gold, chestnut
brown, etc, which is exquisitely ar
ranged upon head, breast and wings.
presenting fine gloss like rich satin.
The tail of this bird is remarkably
short, and from it spring two naked
feathers which coil in q spiral manner
at the end. The legs are moderately
stout and of yellowish brown color.
This species, called the King Bird of the
Dutch, is said not to associate with 9TH
er birds of the genius, but to be of q
solitary nature, feeding on berries, par
ticularly those OF red color; seldom or
never sitting on lofty trees, but frequent
ly on shrubs and bushes.
There is also the Golden-breasted
Bird of Paradise, and the Superb Bird
of Paradise, each of different form
and adjustment of the brilliant feath-
ers; and a few of less note. But lin
tied space will not permit of our de-
scribing them.
Many strange tales were told of this
bird by ancient writers. twas thought
to have no legs or feet, but to pass its
time floating in the air, and only occa-
sionally take little rest by suspend
ing itself from the branches of a tree by
the long feathers of its tail. Its eggs
were supposed to be laid in the hollow
formed by the plumage of the male
bird, and that the mother bird sits
upon them while resting upon the back
of her husband; both birds floating lux
uriously in the breeze and feeding on
the soft dews of heaven. An absurd
idea which probably originated from
the fact that the places from which
they were receiyed-the Malay Archi-
pelago-were then little known, and as
all the specimens of the bird which
reached Europe were legless, they
imagined this its natural condition.
Their plan of preservation was to cut
off the legs, run into the body hot iron
which dried up the internal moisture;
and then, filling the cavity with salt
and spices, they sold them to the Euro
peans for n mere trihe.
Most of these birds associate in large
flock in the delightful aromatic woods
and groves of their native islands. And
the inhabitants themselves are not in
sensible to their charms; for, as we have
already said, they give them the name
of Gods bird. From the rapidity of
their flight, as well as their being con-
tinually on the wing in pursuit Of in