The KING OF THE BIRDS OF PARADISE (_Cincinnurus regius_) may be selected
as representing the SPIRAL TAILS (_Cincinnurus_), as the various species
composing the second group of this family have been called. In size it
is inferior to any of its congeners as yet described; it is, moreover,
distinguished from them by the delicacy of its beak and by the less
remarkable development of the plumes with which its sides are adorned.
The two centre tail-feathers twine like the tendrils of a vine, and are
entirely without a web, except at their extremity, which is furnished
with a wheel-like feathery expansion. The male of this species is of a
ruby red upon the upper portions of the body; the brow and top of the
head are orange, the throat yellow, and the belly greyish white; the
eyes are surmounted by a small black spot, and a band of metallic green
divides the dark-coloured breast from the shades upon the belly; the
feathers upon the sides are grey, marked with irregular white and red
lines, and terminate in a bright emerald green tip. The female is reddish
brown upon the upper part of the body, and below of a reddish yellow
streaked with brown; the wings are gold colour, the beak is dark brown,
and the feet light blue.
This species is found over a larger extent of country than any other
member of its family, occupying not only a large portion of North Guinea,
but most of the surrounding islands, where it frequents the bushes
growing upon the sea-coast. Its movements are extremely restless, and,
like other Birds of Paradise, it seems to revel in its own beauty as
it spreads its plumage and raises the golden collar round its throat,
meanwhile demonstrating its satisfaction by uttering a soft noise not
unlike the mewing of a kitten. Writers of former days inform us that
these beautiful creatures fly about in parties under the guidance of a
male bird distinguished from the rest by the superior development of the
tail, and that the flock are inconsolable if they lose their leader; but
more modern naturalists do not mention this supposed peculiarity, which
we must therefore regard as a fable.