The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-02-19


with resplendent radiance, in nearly all
there is some strange and altogether uni
que arrangement of the plumage, aud in
many the features are modified into
plumes. ribbons and streamers that pro-
duce the most surprisingly lovely effects.
The Great Emerald Paradise Bird, is
described as a 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 being that Of the thrush,
The bill is slightly bent, aud of 4 gTeenish
color: the base surrounded, for the dis
lance Of half au inch, with close set, vel.
vvt-like black umes, with a varying lus-
tire Of golden green. The head, together
with the back part Of the neck, is a pale
gold color, the throat and fore part Of the
ueck of the richest ehaugeable gold green.
The whole remainder of the plumago on
the body aud the tail Is of iue, deep
chestnut. except on the breast which Is !
deep purPlish color.
From the upper part Of each side OF
the body, beneath the wings, springs Z
vast asscmbIagc OF extremely long, loose
broad floating Plumes Of the most delicate
texture and appearance, in some sPeci'
mems Of i bright, deep yellow, in Others
Of palcr hue, bu, most Of these marked
by a few longitudinal dark red spots
Aud from the middle OF the rump spring
pair Of naked shafts, considerably ex
csediug in lcagth even the long. Ioos,
p!umes or the side
This blrd is a native OF The Molucca
Islands. aud the Islands around New
Guinea, particularly in the AroO. La
than mentions that sPecimen was ono,
brought alive to Euglanj, aud ii Is oeea
sionally brough, 10 Macao in China.
The chiefs Of the countries where they
are foaud use them in their tarbans Ant
ia macy parts Of the East, a. well rs ID
this country they are used Is ornamen,t
10 ladies hats and heaiiresses.
There u oae species called kiag Bird
Of Paradise. /. Is thought to be th'
smallest Of all these birds, about Ihs sin
Of a lark I, is almost impossible to civ,
an adequate idea Of the brillianey Of ia
velvet-hke plumage Of blood-red, green
white, gold, chestnut browu, etc, which
Is exquisi,ely arranged upon head, breast
aud wings, presenting fine gloss lik,
rich satin
The tail Of this bird Is remarkably short
aud from j, spring two naked feathers
which coil in a spiral manner at the end
The legs are moderately stout and Of {
yellowish brown color This species, call
ed the King Bird Of the Duteh, IS sai'
net 70 associate With other birds oil the ge
nus. bu, to be Of solitary nature. feeding
,n berries, particularly those Of 4 red col
or seldom or ever sitting on lofty trees
but frequently on shrubs and bushes.
There is also the Golden breasted Blr,
of Paradise, and the Superb Bird Of Par
aii.e, each Of different form and adjust
meut Of the brilliant feathers aud fev
Of less note. But limited space will no
permit Of our describing them.
Many strange tales were told Of thi
bird by ancient writers 1t was though
10 have no legs or feet, but to pass its tim,
floating in the air, and only occasionally
take 4 little rest BY suspendiug itself from
the branches Of tree by the long feather
of its tail Its eggs were supposed to b
laid 10 the hollow formed by the plumag
Of the male bird, and that the mother Dir,
sits upon them while resting upon the
back of her husband both birds fo1tin;
luxuriously in the breeze and feeding OF
the soft dews of heaven An absurd ide'
which probably originated from the fac
that the places from which they were re
ceived-the Malay Arehipelago-wer
then little known and as all the specimens
the bird which reached Europe were leg
less, they imagined this its natural condl
ton. The plan of preservation was TO Gu
off the legs, run into the body a hot iron
which dried up the internal moisture; an
then, filling the cavity with salt and spices
they sold them to the Europeans for
mere trife,
Most Of these birds associate in larg
focks in the delightful aromatic woods ant
groves of their native islands. And tn
inhabitants themselves are not insensibl
to their charms, for. as We have alread,
said, they give them the name of God
bird. From the rapidity of their flight
as we'll as their being continually on tn,
wing in pursuit of insects, their usual prey
they are sometimes called the Swallows o
Ternate.
As the country where they breed is Wis
tied with tempestuOus seasons, these bird
are seldom seen at such times and it
supposed that they then migrate to eoun
tries where their food is to be found i
great abundance for, like swallows, the.
have their appointed times. "-Ne'0 Yor
| O6Serrer.
(Which way ye goin?" asked burl
Hibernian of eountryman who was driv
ing car.
"Goin' crazy"