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oradually increase 10 de

nsity and then assume the silvery white forehead which is so conspicuous in the adult
oradually the metallic colours of the occipital diadem, and at the same time some metallic
Sec i ;

Then are assumed
feathers also appea 7
texture. Successively et ota we
while a collar of velvety black plumes appears on the neck, the feathers of which are lengthened, The

r on the throat and fore-neck, while the brown plumage becomes black and of a velvet

the feathers of the wings and tail begin to be black and present a velyet

metallic shield on the throat eradually extends, as does also the black of the chin and the sides of the breast ;
the breast, abdomen, and under tail-coverts and We Wantat 9 blacken, and the three long
fenics onvereh side of the crown make their appearance, pemng : 3 an the a commencement, The
last portions of the body to show remains of young nee are the abdomen and the rump. The series of
specimens in the British Museum has ae been eens enoualg alloy me to follow all the changes of
plumage described by Count Salvadori, but the allied species, LEE appears a go through a very
similar succession ; but the order of change appears to me to vary with individuals. Thus some specimens
commence to develop the ornamental plumes on the head before any sign of the gular shield is apparent,
and they are occasionally fully developed when only a slight blackening of the throat has commenced.
The rackets at the end of the ornamental plumes are at first longitudinal in shape, but quickly assume
their ovate form.

The home of this species is the Arfak Mountains, in North-western New Guinea. In the Charles Lewis
Mountains it is represented by P. carole, and in the Owen Stanley Mountains by P. lawesi.

Dr. Beccari has given the following note on the species :—‘* Of Parotia sexpennis I got one adult male
alive, but it only lived three days. Its eye, with the iris azure surrounded by a yellow ring, is extremely
beautiful. The six feathers which ornament the head are not raised up vertically, but moved backwards
and forwards in a horizontal and oblique direction, and are moved forward parallel to the sides of the
beak. It is the commonest Paradise-bird at Mount Arfak, but, as usual, the adult males are much scarcer
than the females and young males.”

The following remarks are from the pen of Signor D’Albertis :—* Although this species has been

 

known for many years, it is not yet accurately understood, having only been described from birds in a
mutilated condition. My observations have been made in the natural haunts of these elegant birds,
from numerous specimens both living and dead. These birds are found in the north of New Guinea.
I met with them about thirty miles from the coast, at an elevation of 3600 feet above the level
of the sea, near Mount Arfak. I have never found the adult male in company with females or young
birds, but always in the thickest parts of the forest; the females and young birds are generally found in a
much lower zone. This Paradise-bird is very noisy, uttering a note like ‘ evaad-guaad.’ It feeds upon
various kinds of fruits, more especially a species of fig which is very plentiful in the mountain-ranges ; at
other times I have observed it feeding on a small kind of nutmeg. ‘To clean its rich plumage this bird is
accustomed, when the ground is dry, to scrape (similarly to a gallinaceous bird) around places clear of all
grass and leaves, and to roll over and over again in the dust produced by the clearing, at the same time
crying out, extending and contracting its plumage, elevating the brilliant silvery crest on the upper part of its

head, and also the six remarkable plumes from which it derives the specific name of sexpennis. On seeing
its eccentric movements at this time, and hearing its cries, one would consider it to be engaged in a fight
with some imaginary enemy. This bird is named ‘ Caran-a’ by the natives. I have also a skeleton of a
young male of this species, which, although not in a perfect state, may no doubt be interesting as showing

the form of the cranium, on which
elevate the feathers of the head.
upon them, a rich and

there is an admirable muscular structure which enables the bird to
The feathers at the nape of the neck exhibit, when the rays of light strike

brilliant metallic hue. The eyes are of a light blue, with a circle of pale yellowish-
green colour.” : 7

 

Adult male. General co]

our above rich
head and neck

also close-set
elongated silky bair-]

purplish velvety black, including the wings and tail; plumes of
. and velvety, purplish black like the back; above the ear-coverts a tuft of
psi ne Bhimes from among the anterior ones of which spring three thread-like shafts
1e head, each ornamented with an ovate racket of velvety black ; frontal plumes purplish,

| d wath shining white, which forms a band across the forehead, these stiff plumes being
metallic cae aoe osha ap at the bill; across the upper crown a band of oo
eo nes bright green with a double sub-terminal bar of purple and ae _
lower throat and fore aa i metallic purple and lilac; throat velvety purplish blac : tie
a brilliant metallic shield, composed of golden-copper feathers, shining

the feathers tippe
capable of d

what more shining wi
“neck forming