P R E F A C E .
T h e Birds of Paradise having always attracted me by their strange forms and brilliant plumage, I was led to select
them as the subject of my fourth illustrated Monograph. It is only within the last two or three years that a work
like the present could have been published in a similar manner; for, although the greater number of the species
contained in it have been known to naturalists for a considerable period of time, yet the preserved skins reached Europe
in such a mutilated condition that no correct idea could be formed of the birds’ appearance in life. Recently, however,
through the efforts of enterprising collectors, assisted and encouraged in some cases by their respective governments,
the skins of all the known species, with, perhaps, only one or two exceptions, have been forwarded to
Europe in perfect condition; and an opportunity has thus been afforded to represent the birds as they appear in
their native wilds. Among those who have endeavoured in every manner to advance and benefit the cause of
science, I may cite as a notable example the Government of Holland, whose Museum at Leyden is at present
unequalled, and whose collectors in the Indian archipelago have, among other most valuable novelties, forwarded
many species of Birds of Paradise heretofore unknown in their perfect state. To Prof. Schlegel, therefore, the
Director o f the Museum named above, I am under the pleasing obligation of acknowledging the valuable assistance
received from Mm in the publication of this work ; for he permitted me to bring to London such specimens
as were required to be figured for I t and were not otherwise obtainable. Mr. Gould, in London, and the late
M. J. P. Verreaux, in Paris, who possessed specimens of birds of this family that were not represented in my
own collection at the time they were required, most kindly placed them at my service; and although I have
endeavoured in all cases to acknowledge my indebtedness to these gentlemen in the articles accompanying the
various species, yet I am happy to take this opportunity of renewing my thanks. To Dr. P. L. Sclater, who
placed in my hands to be figured for this work the new species described by him, I am greatly obliged. To Mr.
P. H. Waterhouse, the efficient Librarian of the Zoological Society, I am under many obligations for his uniform
civility and attention whenever I desired to consult the books under his charge.
The drawings executed by Mr. Wolf will, I am sure, receive the admiration of those who see them; for, like
all that artist’s productions, they cannot be surpassed, if equalled, at the present time. Mr. J. Smit has lithographed
the drawings with his usual conscientious fidelity, ¿nd in his share of the work has left me nothing to desire;
while the printing of the plates by Messrs. M. & N. Hanhart has been most carefully and excellently done.
In the colouring of the plates Mr. J. D. White has faithfully followed the originals; and in the difficult portions,
where it was necessary to produce the metallic hues, he has been very successful.
The letterpress, from the establishment of Messrs. Taylor & Francis, has been printed from new type; and the
execution fully sustains the reputation of that house.
And in conclusion I would express my acknowledgments to those who have honoured my work with their
support, and aided me in bringing it to a successful completion.