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ASTRAPIA NIGRA.
Gorg-et Paradise-bird.
Gorget Paradise Bird, Lath. Gen. Syn. i. p. 478, pi. 20 (1782).
Paradisea nigra, Gm. S. N . i. p. 401 (1788, ex Lath.).
Paradisea gularis, Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. p. 196 (1 7 9 0 ).—Shaw, Gen. Zool. vii. pp. 69, 70 (1 8 0 9 ).
Le Hausse-col doré, Aud. et Vieill. Ois. Dor. ii. p. 22, pis. 8, 9 ( 1802).
La P ie de Paradis, ou VIncomparable, Levaill. Hist. Nat. Ois. Parad. i. pis. 20, 22 (1806).
Astrapia gularis, Vieill. N . Diet. d’Hist. Nat. iii. p. 37 (1 816).—Id. Gal. Ois. i. p. 169, pi. 107 (1 8 2 5 ) Less.
Traité d’Orn. p. 338 (1 8 3 1 ).—Id. Ois. Parad. Syn. p. 18 (1 835).—Id. Hist. Nat. p. 106, pis. 21-23.—
Schleg. J. f. O. 1861, p. 386.—Beccari, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genov, vii. p. 711.—Sclater, Ibis, 1876, p. 24 9.
Astrapia nigra, Steph. Gen. Zool. xiv. p. 75 (1 8 2 0 ).—Gray, Gen. B. ii. p. 263 (18 4 6 ).—Bp. Consp. i. p. 414
(1850).—Gray, P. Z. S. 1851, p. 436.—Wallace, P. Z. S . 1862, p. 154.—Finsch, Neu-Guinea, p. 173
(1 8 6 5 ).—Wallace, Malay Archip. ii. p. 257 (18 6 9 ).—Elliot, Monogr. Parad. pi. ix. (1 8 7 3 ).— Salvad
Ann. Mus. Civ. Genov, ix. p. 190 (1 8 7 6 ).—Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. iii. p. 165 (1877).
Epimachus niger, Schlegel, Mus. P.-B., Coraces, p. 94 (18 6 7 ).
Va r io u s authors have endeavoured to accomplish the difficult task of classifying and defining the limits of the
family Paradiseidce; and I can only think o f two other groups which present the same obstacles to classification,
namely:—the Hornbills, where the shape o f the casque is considered by some naturalists to be o f generic, by
others o f specific importance only; and the Malkoha Cuckoos ([Phcenicophaince) , where the shape and
structure o f the nostril varies so much as to induce some naturalists to place each species in a separate genus,
whilst by others the form o f the nostril is reckoned to be only a specific character. Mr. D. G. Elliot placed
the Bower-birds along with the Paradiseidce; but Mr. Sharpe has not included them, and I learn from him
that they will be placed near the Thrushes in his arrangement o f the class Aves. Professor Schlegel,
again, places the present bird in the genus Epimachus near E . speciosus; but I think that its stout bill,
so different from the sickle-shaped slender bills o f the Epimachi, shows that the place o f Astrapia is near
to the true Paradise-birds, though its long tail is very different in form from that of the other stoutbilled
genera. I must say, however, that it seems to me impossible to keep such widely different forms of
birds under one g enus; and I cannot help thinking that a family which includes such widely different forms
o f birds as Astrapia, Lophorina, and the true Paradisece, may yet prove (strange as this may appear to most
persons) to be the proper recipient for the Lyre-birds (Menura) o f Australia.
As in the case o f the other Birds o f Paradise, little is known o f the habits o f this grand bird; but Dr.
Beccari, who has shot the species in the Arfak Mountains, has given the following short account o f its
capture :■—“ Epimachus maximus and Astrapia gularis are only found on the highest and most difficult peaks
o f Mount Arfak, nearly always above 6000 feet elevation. Specimens in dark plumage are common
enough; but those which have attained perfect plumage are rare, perhaps because they take some years
to acquire it. Both of them live on the fruits o f certain Pandanaceae, and especially on those o f the
Freycinetice, which are epiphytous on the trunks o f trees. The irides of the large Epimachus are dark brick-
red, those of the Astrapia almost black; the neck-feathers o f the latter are erectable, and expand into a
magnificent collar round the head. The first day I went out at Atam, on June 23, I got both these species
(two specimens o f each), besides one Drepanornis albertisi, three Paradigallce, one Parotia, and several other
wonderful kinds o f birds. It was a memorable day, because I ascended one o f the peaks, and was surprised
to find myself surrounded by four or five species o f Vaccinium and Rhododendron, I also found an
Umbellifer (a Drymis) and various other plants common to the mountains o f Java, and there were also some
mosses a foot and a half in height.”
The habitat o f this Bird o f Paradise is the north-west o f New Guinea, though it is said, on native report,
to be an inhabitant o f the Island o f Jobi.
The following description is taken from Mr. Sharpe’s Catalogue o f Birds.— “ Adult male. General
colour above velvety black, with a purplish glo ss; the wings black externally, glossed with purple; tail-feathers
black, with wavy lines o f dusky black under certain lights, the two centre feathers very long and glossed
with rich purple; feathers o f the head black, dense and velvety in texture, with a steel-blue g lo ss; from the
nape a shield o f golden green feathers springs; and the feathers o f the hind neck are very long and tipped