[Illustration: THE RED BIRD OF PARADISE (_Paradisea rubra_).]
The BIRDS OF PARADISE (_Paradiseæ_) are magnificent Ravens, varying in
their size from that of a Jay to that of a Lark, and are distinguished
not only by the exquisite beauty of their feathers, but by the elegance
of their shape. In this family the beak is of moderate size, straight, or
slightly curved, compressed at its sides, and covered at the base with
a feathered skin, by which the nostrils are concealed; the wings are of
moderate length, and very decidedly rounded, as the sixth and seventh
quills are much longer than the rest; the tail is either composed of
twelve rather long feathers, combined with many thread-like feathery
appendages of great length, or is extremely long, simple in form, and
sharply graduated; the feet are powerful, the toes long, and armed with
sharp, crooked claws. In some species the plumage upon the sides is most
peculiar in its appearance, the feathers growing to a great length, and
splitting, as it were, into several light and delicate portions. These
peculiarities are only observable in the male, both the female and young
being much more simply clad. The Birds of Paradise are found exclusively
in New Guinea and the neighbouring islands, Arnisland, Salawati, Meisol,
and Waigiou, each of these localities possessing one or more distinct
species.
Rosenberg has given us the following description of the manner in which
the natives prepare these valuable creatures for the European and other
markets:--The Papuans shoot the Bird of Paradise with arrows, and then
strip the body of its skin, cut away the feet and a portion of the
tail-feathers; they then insert a stick through the beak, and thus
supported, the skin is hung to dry in the smoke of a wood fire in order
to preserve it from the attacks of vermin. The natives of Meisol, on the
contrary, do not remove the feet or any portion of the tail, as they
have learnt by experience that the unmutilated skins command the highest
price. These skins are bought by merchants from Madagascar, Teimate, and
Eastern Seram, and conveyed to Singapore, from whence they are forwarded
to Europe or China. According to information received from these
merchants the finest birds come from the northern coast of New Guinea,
the Sultan of Tidore receiving annually a certain number of the skins
obtained within his territory as tribute.
* * * * *
The TRUE BIRDS OF PARADISE (_Paradiseæ_) possess a plume of long split
feathers, placed at the first joint of the wings, growing from a portion
of skin about an inch in length, which can be spread out or folded up
at pleasure. The females are without this appendage. The two middle
tail-feathers are usually extremely long, and become enlarged at the tip.