Paradisea
Regia_, we naturalists call it. Well worthy is it of the name." When
we stopped for the night, our attendants quickly built some leafy sheds,
into which we crept, wrapped up in our mats, after we had partaken of
our supper--consisting of a parrot pie, which we had brought with us,
and also of some sago biscuit, washed down with arrack and water. Our
guides would have preferred the spirit undiluted, as they are fond of
potent liquors as well as of strong-tasted food. At early morn, before
the sun rose, we heard the well-known cry of "Wawk--wawk--wawk!--Wok--
wok--wok!" resounding through the forest, and continually changing its
direction. Looking up, we caught sight of nights of the great bird of
paradise, going to seek their breakfasts on the fruit-bearing trees.
Lories and parroquets soon afterwards flew off from their perches,
uttering shrill cries. King hunters croaked and barked; and cockatoos,
black and white, screamed loudly through the woods; while numerous
smaller birds, many also of the most lovely plumage, chirruped and
whistled as they saluted the dawn. Our hunters, one with a gun, the
other with a bow and arrows, started forth while we lighted our fire and
made other preparations for breakfast. One of them soon came back with
a large black bird having an enormous bill. Mr Hooker jumped up,
almost letting drop the saucepan which he held in his hand, in his
eagerness at the sight of the bird.

"A superb black cockatoo!" he exclaimed. "This is indeed a prize."

All thoughts of eating were abandoned, while he expatiated on the beauty
of the bird and its peculiar mode of living. Compared to its largely
developed head, which was ornamented with a superb crest, its body
appeared weak and small. It had long slender legs and large wings, its
head being armed with a sharp-pointed hooked bill of prodigious size and
strength. The plumage was quite black, and had over it the peculiar
powdery white secretion which characterises cockatoos. The cheeks were
bare, and of an intense blood-red colour. We had heard its voice the
evening before, which, unlike the harsh scream of the white cockatoo, is
that of a plaintive whistle. The tongue was a slender fleshy cylinder
of a deep red colour, terminated by a black horny plate, furred across,
and possessing prehensile power. We afterwards saw several of them,
mostly one at a time, though now and then we caught sight of two or
three together. They were f