Part 16

"I suddenly stood before the most remarkable specimen of the industry of an animal. It was a hut or bower close to a small meadow enameled with flowers. The whole was on a diminutive scale, and I immediately recognized the famous nests described by the hunters of Bruiju. After well observing the whole I gave strict orders to my hunters not to destroy the little building. That, however, was an unnecessary caution, since the Papuans take great care never to disturb these nests or bowers, even if they are in their way. The birds had evidently enjoyed the greatest quiet until we happened, unfortunately for them, to come near them. I had now full employment in the preparation of my treasure.... I took colors and brushes, and went to the spot, and made the sketch which I now publish. When I was there neither host nor hostess was at home.... I could not ascertain whether this bower was occupied by one pair or more, whether the male alone is the builder, or whether the wife assists. I believe, however, that the nest lasts several seasons."

The pleasing description of the house and lawn, with its many decorations, has been widely copied. "Being mostly near the entrance," says the grave scientist in conclusion, surprised into sentiment, "it would appear that the husband offers there the daily gift to the wife, removing the objects to the back of the hut as they fade or wither." It is clever not only in building a house and lawn, but in imitating the songs and cries of other birds, and doing it so well, according to our author, that it brought "his hunters to despair."

So few Birds of Paradise have entered the scientific world alive, and so little is known of their manners, that the meagre accounts we have possess unusual interest. So long ago as early in the century Mr. Bennett, in his visit to Macao, wrote a statement of the ways of a Great Bird of Paradise (P. Apoda) which had been at that time in confinement nine years. His description of the toilet of the most exquisite of birds is delightful.

"It washes itself regularly twice daily, and after having performed its ablutions, throws its delicate feathers up nearly over the head.... The beautiful subalar plumage is then thrown out and cleaned from any spot that may sully its purity by being passed gently through the bill, the short chocolate-colored wings are extended to the utmost, and he keeps them in a steady flapping motion, at the same time raising up the delicate long feathers over the back, which are spread in a chaste and elegant manner, floating like films in the ambient air. In this position the bird would remain for a short time, seemingly proud of its heavenly beauty. I never yet beheld a soil on its feathers. After expanding the wings it would bring them together so as to conceal the head, then bending gracefully it would inspect the state of its plumage underneath.... It then picks and cleans its plumage in every part within reach, and throwing out the elegant and delicate tuft of feathers underneath, they are cleaned in succession, if required, by throwing them abroad, elevating and passing them in succession through the bill. Then turning its back to the spectators, the actions above mentioned are repeated, ... and throwing its feathers up with much grace, appears as proud as a lady dressed in her full ball dress"(!). After further account of its taking grasshoppers from visitors, he concludes: "Should any of the insects fall to the floor of his cage he will not descend to them, appearing to be fearful that in so doing he should soil his delicate plumage."

Almost equally charming is Mr. Bennett's observation of one that Wallace carried alive to London, which lived two years there and became exceedingly tame. It is this species whose dancing parties Wallace thus describes:--

"On one of these trees a dozen or twenty full-plumaged male birds assemble, raise their wings vertically over the back, stretch out their necks, and raise and expand their exquisite long plumes till they form two magnificent golden fans, which are kept in continual vibration. Between whiles they fly across from branch to branch in great excitement, so that the whole tree is filled with waving plumes in every variety of attitude and motion. In the position above mentioned the whole bird is overshadowed by his plumage, the crouching body, yellow head, and emerald green throat form but the foundation and setting to the golden glory which waves above. Seen in this attitude the Bird of Paradise really deserves its name, and must be ranked as one of the most beautiful and most wonderful of living things."

In truth, it is so transcendently beautiful that hunters have been astonished into forgetfulness of their guns, and no triumph was ever greater, for to recognize an attractive creature and lift the gun to take its life seems to be a single operation of many who carry the murderous weapon.

The Twelve-wired, one of the better known varieties of the Birds of Paradise, is usually figured, and probably always mounted, with its exquisite plumes closely folded against its sides, but the French naturalist and traveler Le Vaillant, in his large work published early in the century, gives a representation of it under the name of Le Nebuleux, with feathers expanded to the uttermost, a truly magnificent display. All his figures, though sometimes incorrect, owing to the scanty knowledge of the time, have a great deal of life. Each bird is presented both in repose, with plumage all folded smoothly back, and in excitement, with every fan and ruff and erectile ornament fully spread.

This peerless family takes kindly to captivity, as has been amply proved by their enduring the voyage and living two years in the unfavorable climate of England, as well as by spending at least nine years in an aviary in China, and there is no reason why we in America should not have opportunity to admire them and study their habits from life. Would that some of our young explorers could be induced to turn from the ice-fields of the Poles, and the death-swamps of the Tropics, to seek these inimitable birds in the mountains and woods of the Papuan Islands--not to shoot for our museum shelves, but to study their manners and customs, and above all to introduce them into American aviaries, that a new and absorbing chapter might be added to our Natural Histories, and the Bird of Paradise cease to be the Bird of Mystery.

INDEX.

African Parrot and Mocking-Bird, 90.

Baltimore Oriole. pursue a blackbird, 4. baby ways, 9. attacked by robin, 10. an unnatural baby, 11. one at a time, 11. the father as drudge, 12. visited by the Cardinal, 215.

Bird of Paradise, 253. where found, 253. mythical stories of, 253. dancing parties, 255. colors, 255. arrangement of plumage, 255. Red Bird of, 255. Golden, 256. Standard-wing, 256. change of form, 256. feathers an index of the mind, 256. interesting new discoveries, 257. Signor d'Albertis, 257. Six-shafted, 257. dusting itself, 258. curious scene, 258. a rare bird, 259. description of, 259. another new one, 259. specimen in N. Y. Museum, 260. description of P. Raggiana, 260. danger of beauty, 260. a bare-headed bird, 261. Manucodia, 261. M. Comrii, 262. M. Chalybea, 262. Long-tailed, 263. changeable, 263. Epimachus Ellioti, 263. the Gardener bird, 264. description of nest, 264. a clever builder, 265. manners of P. Apoda, 266. toilet, 266. dancing parties, 267. twelve-wired, 268. Le Vaillant's work, 268.

Birds. home affairs of, 3. dangers in nest, 5. hard work of, 15. training the young, 15. study of, 16. cruel pursuit of, 239. at twilight, 247.

Bluebird, 97. attitude and manners, 97. attitude and manners, female, 98. defending her spouse, 98. standing guard, 98. defending the young, 99. after the mocking-bird, 99. unsafe nest, 99. tragedy in the family, 100. consoling his mate, 100. an affectionate pair, 101. motherly affection, 102. arrangements for sleep, 102. queer little talk with me, 103. talk together, 104-106. staring at nothing, 104. his mate disapproves, 106. difference in intelligence, 107. demanding meal-worms, 107. expressing themselves, 107. learning by experience, 108. fond of worms, 108. trick on a scarlet tanager, 108. bathing, 109. bewitching dance, 109. sunning himself, 109. feathering out, 110. growing belligerent, 110. courtship, 110. he presents a worm, 110. refusing to share, 111. feeding through wires, 112. change in the song, 112. set free, 112. attacked by sparrows, 112. baby ways, 13. bringing food to young, 47.

Blue Jay, 175. driving corks, 175. hammering, 175. destructiveness, 176. holes in the matting, 176. ornamenting books, 177. pounding upward, 177. hiding things, 177. his regular business, 178. clearing up the room, 178. setting off matches, 179. odd hiding-places, 179. in my hair, 180. intelligent interest, 180. likes and dislikes, 180-191. showing fight, 181. war upon the baby, 181. expression of affection, 181. curiosity, 182. jumping, 183. queer way of alighting, 183. bird of opinions, 183. scolding the rain, 184. strange noises, 184. song, 184. stamping his feet, 184. in anger, 184. peaceful among the birds, 185. timid, 185. afraid of falling, 185. a jay-baby cry, 185. fond of music, 186. attended to business, 187. talking to me, 187. his demon of work, 187. in his vindication, 187. knew what he wanted, 191. human society, 191. tokens of affection, 192. love, 193. ice-cream and cake, 193. hiding his candy, 193. next in favor, 193. difference in treatment, 193. curious dance, 194. missed his frolics, 194. calling his playmate, 194. treatment of a young lady, 195. treatment of a youth, 195. treatment of the head of the household, 195. treatment of a maid, 195. afraid of a trap, 195. a wise bird, 196. cutting a wire, 196. loosening a rubber band, 196. a troublesome pet, 196. on my desk, 196. a cure for hammering, 196. learning to get under the cover, 197. prying into packages, 197. the waste basket, 198. after the photographs, 198. on the door, 198. flying out, 198. the open window, 199. learning to outwit him, 199. the other birds no society, 199. surprising his neighbors, 199. the room in a panic, 200. excitement over a grasshopper, 200. the oriole takes a hand, 200. afraid of a tree, 200. hiding the needles, 202. bathing, 202. beauty of plumage, 202.

Brazilian Cardinal, 232.

Cardinal Grosbeak, or Virginia C., 207. colors, 207. her first admirer, 208. his first call, 208. a mind of her own, 209. his mistake, 209. reproaching her, 209. violent wooing, 210. the obnoxious door, 210. the window, 210. exploring the room, 211. calling on the robin, 211-214. war declared upon her, 211. the window problem, 212. lord-and-master, 212. curious performance, 212. hostilities, 213. jealousy, 214. the looking-glass, 214. calling on the tanager, 214. the bath, 214. calling on the orioles, 215. beginning to sing, 215. a queer game, 215. war again, 216. death of the persecutor, 216. Virginia relieved, 216. expression of crest, 216. a week's peace, 217. arrival of a stranger, 217. Virginia not pleased, 217. the second suitor goes, 218. left alone, 218. set free, 219. the successful wooer, 219. difficulty, studies under, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30.

Golden-winged Woodpecker, or Flicker, 115. in search of a nest, 115. heavy flight, 116. out of a bird store, 117. excessively wild, 117. getting acquainted, 117. peeping out, 118. expressing emotion, 118. in despair, 118. holes in the wall, 118. learning to eat, 118. peculiar attitudes, 119. sleeping, 119. restlessness, 119. taking naps, 120. a heavy sleeper, 120. dreaming, 120. hanging himself, 121. expression of sentiments, 121. the door opened, 121. running about the floor, 121. intelligence, 121. exploring the room, 121. investigating the nails, 122. visiting his neighbors, 122. up the ladder, 122. teasing the goldfinch, 123. down the ladder, 123. stepping down backward, 123. going home, 124. asking to be let out, 124. suddenly familiar, 124. child-like disposition, 124. a silent bird, 124. a strange song, 125. an extraordinary display, 125. the baby of the family, 126. position of rest, 127. flicker talk, 127.

Goldfinch, 72, 152, 157.

Mocking-Bird. baby ways, 13. study of, 23. way of singing, 25-44. fables about, 30-31. nest, 35. domestic relations, 36. home in a pine grove, 37. wooing, 38. dance, 39. love or war? 41. house hunting, 41. building in a storm, 42. on the winding stairs, 43. belligerent, 44. a call on his spouse, 45. frolic on the grass, 45. nest in the cedar, 45. the youngsters out, 46. feeding the babies, 46. the baby cry, 47. parental anxiety, 48, 50, 55. madam remonstrates, 48. telling the news, 49. out of the nest, 50. looks and manners of the infant, 50, 51, 53. a lively youngster, 52. an ignominious flop, 53. baby number two, 53. refuses to move on, 53. thieves--black and white, 54. behavior of a young singer, 54. had his own way, 55. number three neglected, 55. the cry-baby, 56. peculiar hops, 56. a curious performance, 57. the nest, 57. movements, 58, 59. lifting the wings, 60. disposition, 60. quarrel, 61. attack on a crow, 61. song, 62, 63. as imitator, 63.

Mocking-Bird in the house. mocking, 67. intelligence, 67. taking notes, 68. choice of colors, 68. enjoyment of liberty, 69. reason, 69. warmed by a lamp, 69. quiet observation, 70. submitting to imposition, 70. out of the cage, 70. studying surroundings, 71. the pin-cushion, 71. looking-glass, 71. settling his position, 72. the English goldfinch, 72. driven away from the bath, 73. the feathers flew, 74. scene between goldfinch and, 74. insulted by a thrush, 75. dispute over the bath, 75. worrying the Mexican, 77. with the wood thrush, 78. quarrel over the apple, 78. a war dance, 79. settling the thrush, 80. end of the apple contest, 81. decides to remove, 81. teasing the thrush, 83. graceful attack, 83. a change of tactics, 84. a determined enemy, 85. gracefulness, 85. bewitching ways, 86. expression of feathers, 86. the looking-glass, 87. manner of dressing, 89. lifting the wings, 89. steel pen, 89. attack on the parrot, 90. never startled, 91. caught under a shawl, 91. mad frolics, 92. fury of play, 92. reducing the finch to silence, 93. mischief, not malice, 93.

Mexican thrush, 77, 83.

Nonpareil, 28.

Nuthatch baby ways, 12. visited by orioles, 138.

Orchard Orioles, 131. characteristics, 131, 132. persistent singers, 131. making themselves conspicuous, 132. annoying ways, 132. shouting the news, 133. trouble in the family, 133. plumage, 133, 134. two suitors to one maid, 134. he will have his way, 134. she flew for her life, 134. voice of female, 135. beauty of female, 135. restless manners, 135. a war dance, 136. an anti-climax, 137. a meek damsel, 137. inquisitive, 138. visiting the mocking-bird's nest, 138. visiting nuthatches, 138. interested in me, 139. the crisis, 139. nesting time begun, 139. matters settled, 140. the honeymoon, 140. submitting to the inevitable, 140. nest building, 140. precipitate wooing, 141. grumbling husbands, 141. a feathered thief, 142. the end was not yet, 142. with a grasshopper, 201.

Pewee, baby ways, 15. learning to hover, 16.

Plover, 24.