The WUMBI (_Paradisea Papuana_) is somewhat smaller than the species
last described, not exceeding twelve inches in length. The back of this
bird is chestnut coloured; the lower parts of the body a deep reddish
brown; the top of the head, nape, and upper part of the throat and sides
are pale yellow; the feathers upon the brow and beak black, with a green
gloss; the throat emerald green; the eye is of a whitish yellow, the
beak and feet deep blue. The young bird, on first leaving the nest, is
entirely brown; the upper portions of the body being of a deeper shade
than the rest; the tail-feathers are of equal length, the two centre ones
terminating in a slight tuft; after the first moulting, the head and nape
of the neck are pale yellow, and the brow and throat gleam with metallic
green; the two centre tail-feathers are a few inches longer than those in
the first plumage. After the third change, these feathers are prolonged
into mere bare shafts, measuring about fifteen inches; and the beautiful
plumes begin to sprout from the sides, growing until at last they attain
the enormous length of fifty or sixty inches, and in very old birds have
been known even to exceed that size. Rosenberg tells us that this species
is found upon the islands of Meisol and Salawati in considerable numbers;
upon the eastern coast of New Guinea it is more scarce.