SEM I’OPTE'PyA WALLAG 1
SEMIOPTERA WALLACH.
WALLACE’S BIRD OP PARADISE.
PARADISEA (SEMIOPTERA) WALLACH, G. R. Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. (1 859) p. 13 0—Schleg. Mus. Pays-Bas (1867), p. 91.—Id. Joum.
für Ornith. (1 8 0 1 ) p. 385:
SEMIOPTERA WALLACH, G. R. Gray,'Proc. Zool. Soc. ( 1860) pp. 61, 356.—Gould, Birds o f Austr. Suppl. pi. 3.—Gray, Hand-1. Birds (1869),
pt. i. p. 105..no.l,1276.—Sclat: Ibis ( i8 6 0 ) , p. 26, pi. 2.—Wall. Ibis (1859), p. 210 (n o te); (1 8 6 1 ), p. 212.—Id. Malay Archip. vol. iL
p. 17.—Von Rosenb. Journ. für Omith. (1 864) p. 126.
H a b . B a tc liia n , H a lm a lie r a (W a l l a c e a n d B e r n s t e in ).
T h i s strange form of Paradise-bird was discovered by Mr. Wallace in the island of Batchian, and is one of
the most remarkable species that he has ever made known to the scientific world. It differs in so many ways
from the other members of this family,. that it cannot be compared with any one of them ; and although its
general plumage is plain and dull, yet the rich, green, breast, the feathers extending in lengthened plumes on
either side, together with the extraordinary character presented in the two feathers springing from each wing,
elevate this bird to a place among the most singular members of the Paradiseidse. How rejoiced was
the naturalist, after much toil, anxiety, and many disappointments, to obtain a new Bird of Paradise, the first
procured for many years, can be better appreciated by his letter written to Mr. Stevens, at the time of
his great acquisition, and which I here reproduce “ Batchian, 29th Oct., 1858.—Here have I been as yet
only five days;, but, from the nature of the country, and what I have already done, I am inclined to think
it may prove one of the best localities I have visited. Birds are as yet very scarce; but I still hope to
get a fin«» collection, though I believe I have already the finest and most wonderful bird in the island. I had
a goo.d.noind h> keep, it a secret; but I cannot resist telling you. I have a new Bird o f Paradise ! of a
new genus!! quite unlike any thing yet known, very curious and very handsome!!! When I get a couple of
pairs, I will send them overland, to see -what a new Bird of Paradise will really fetch. Had I seen the
bird in Ternate, I should never h a y e fbelieved it came from here, so far. out of .the hitherto supposed region
of the Paradiseidæ. I consider it the greatest discovery I have yet made; and it gives me hopes of getting
other species in Gilolo and Ceram. . . . I can do nothing at drawing birds, but send you a horrible sketch
of my discovery, that you may not die of curiosity.” In Mr. Wallace’s most interesting volumes on the Malay
archipelago, lie gives the following account of the way he procured this species :-||gJust as I got home I
overtook Ali returning from shooting, with some birds hanging from his belt. He seemed much pleased,
and said “ Look here, Sir, what a curious bird!” holding out what at first completely puzzled me. I saw a bird
with & mass-of splendid green feathers on its breast, elongated into twoglittering tufts ; but what I could not
understand was a pair of long white feathers, which stuck straight out from each shoulder. Ali assured me that
the bird stuck them out in this way itself, when fluttering its wings, and that they had remained so without his
touching them. I now saw that I had got a great prize, no less than a completely new form of the Bird of
Paradise, differing most remarkably from every other known bird. The Standard-wing is found in Gilolo as well as
in, Batchian ; and all the specimens from the former island have the green breast-shields rather longer, the crown of
the head darker violet, and the lower parts of the body rather more strongly scaled with green. This is the only
Paradise-bird yet found in the Moluccan district, all the others being confined to the Papuan Islands and North
Australia.”
Mr. G. R. Gray, in whose hands the sketch made by Mr. Wallace, of this species, was placed, gave to it the
appropriate generic name of Semoptera or Standard-wing, and, as a just tribute to its discoverers indefatigable
energy, and scientific. attainments, thé specific one WaUam. In a letter to Mr. Gould, Mr. Wallace writes the
Waltacii frequents the lotier trees of the virgin forests, and is almost constantly in motion. It « e s from
branch to branch, and clings to the twigs, and even to the vertical smooth trunks almost as easily as a Woodpecker.