en they dry the skins they take off the feet and wings. This is why
people used to think we had neither feet nor wings.

They also thought we lived on the dews of heaven and the honey of
flowers. This is why we are called the Birds of Paradise.

* * *

"Upon its waving feathers poised in air,
Feathers, or rather clouds of golden down,
With streamers thrown luxuriantly out
In all the wantonness of winged wealth."

[Illustration: RED BIRD OF PARADISE.]

THE RED BIRD OF PARADISE.

Birds of Paradise are found only in New Guinea and on the neighboring
islands. The species presented here is found only on a few islands.

In former days very singular ideas prevailed concerning these birds
and the most extravagant tales were told of the life they led in their
native lands. The natives of New Guinea, in preparing their skins for
exportation, had removed all traces of legs, so that it was popularly
supposed they possessed none, and on account of their want of feet and
their great beauty, were called the Birds of Paradise, retaining, it was
thought, the forms they had borne in the Garden of Eden, living upon dew
or ether, through which it was imagined they perpetually floated by the
aid of their long cloud-like plumage.

Of one in confinement Dr. Bennett says: "I observed the bird, before
eating a grasshopper, place the insect upon the perch, keep it firmly
fixed by the claws, and, divesting it of the legs, wings, etc., devour
it with the head always first. It rarely alights upon the ground, and so
proud is the creature of its elegant dress that it never permits a soil
to remain upon it, frequently spreading out its wings and feathers,
regarding its splendid self in every direction."

The sounds uttered by this bird are very peculiar, resembling somewhat
the cawing of the Raven, but change gradually to a varied scale in
musical gradations, like _he, hi, ho, how_! He frequently raises his
voice, sending forth notes of such power as to be heard at a long
distance. These notes are _whack_, _whack_, uttered in a barking tone,
the last being a low note in conclusion.

While creeping amongst the branches in search of insects, he utters a
soft clucking note. During the entire day he flies incessantly from one
tree to another, perching but a few moments, and concealing himself
among the foliage at the least suspicion of danger.

In Bennett's "Wanderings" is an entertaining descript