Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
form an elegant semicircular fan on each shoulder. But another ornament still more ex-
traordinary, and if possible more beautiful, adorns this little bird. The two middle tail feath-
ers are modified into very slender wire-like shafts, nearly six inches long, each of which
bears at the extremity, on the inner side only, a web of an emerald green colour, which is
coiled up into a perfect spiral disc, and produces a most singular and charming effect. The
bill is orange yellow, and the feet and legs of a fine cobalt blue. (See upper figure on the
plate at the commencement of this chapter.)
The female of this little gem is such a plainly coloured bird, that it can at first sight hardly
be believed to belong to the same species. The upper surface is of a dull earthy brown, a
slight tinge of orange red appearing only on the margins of the quills. Beneath, it is of a
paler yellowish brown, scaled and banded with narrow dusky markings. The young males
are exactly like the female, and they no doubt undergo a series of changes as singular as
those of Paradisea rubra; but, unfortunately, I was unable to obtain illustrative specimens.
This exquisite little creature frequents the smaller trees in the thickest parts of the forest,
feeding on various fruits, often of a very large size for so small a bird. It is very active both
on its wings and feet, and makes a whirring sound while flying, something like the South
American manakins. It often flutters its wings and displays the beautiful fan which adorns
its breast, while the star-bearing tail wires diverge in an elegant double curve. It is tolerably
plentiful in the Aru Islands, which led to its being brought to Europe at an early period
along with Paradisea apoda. It also occurs in the island of Mysol, and in every part of New
Guinea which has been visited by naturalists.
We now come to the remarkable little bird called the 'Magnificent,' first figured by
been formed into a separate genus by Prince Buonaparte, under the name of Diphyllodes,
from the curious double mantle which clothes the back.
The head is covered with short brown velvety feathers, which advance on the back so as
to cover the nostrils. From the nape springs a dense mass of feathers of a straw-yellow col-
our, and about one and a half inches long, forming a mantle over the upper part of the back.
Beneath this, and forming a band about one-third of an inch beyond it, is a second mantle of
rich, glossy, reddish-brown feathers. The rest of the back is orange-brown, the tail-coverts
and tail dark bronzy, the wings light orange-buff. The whole under surface is covered with
an abundance of plumage springing from the margins of the breast, and of a rich deep green
colour, with changeable hues of purple. Down the middle of the breast is a broad band of
scaly plumes of the same colour, while the chin and throat are of a rich metallic bronze.
From the middle of the tail spring two narrow feathers of a rich steel blue, and about ten
