PARADISEA. BAGGIANA. 0 Sciata-,
Marquis de Raggi’s Bird of Paradise.
Paradisea raggiarla, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1873, pp. 559, 697.—Elliot, Monogr. Paradis, pi. 3 (18 7 3 ).—Salvad. Ann.
Mus. Civ. Genova, vii. p. 829 (1 8 7 5 ).;ttJ)’Albertis, P. Z. S. 1875, p. 532.
T ak in g it all in all, I consider this the grandest Paradise-bird that has been discovered since Wallace sent
home the startling and singular Semioptera. That so large and splendid a species should have remained
totally unknown up to the period o f Signor d’Albertis’s visit to the southern parts of New Guinea serves to
show the probability that other treasures remain for future explorers in this great unknown land. When
the rumour first spread abroad that a second red-plumed Bird o f Paradise existed, suspicions arose that
these two birds were merely varieties of P . rubra, than which there could be nothing more fallacious, since
it not only differs from that species, but belongs to another section o f the Paradiseidae, o f which P . papuana
and P . apoda are examples.
That the Paradisea raggiana holds a place in the south o f New Guinea, as the P . papuana does in the
north, is very evident. It is also quite certain that it is a bird equally common in all the parts yet
visited by Signor ¿’Albertis, Captain Moresby, and other travellers; naturalists therefore need not fear
that our collections will long remain without examples. In a note from Signor d’Albertis, addressed to
the Secretary o f the Zoological Society of London, published in the 4 Proceedings ’ for 1875, is perhaps
the best description o f this bird yet received. He s a y s “ I was rather fortunate in my excursion into
the mountains; for I found Paradisea raggiana, and obtained some beautiful specimens in full dress.
In its voice, movements, and attitudes it perfectly resembles the other species o f the genus. It feeds on
fruit; and I could find no trace o f insects in the seven individuals which I prepared. It inhabits the
dense forest, and is generally found near the ravines—perhaps because the trees on the fruit o f which it
feeds prefer the neighbourhood o f water. The female is always smaller in size than the male; and I find
this sex less abundant, because, as I believe, it is the season of incubation. The female is more like the
same sex of P . apoda than that o f P . papuana. The young male is like the female, but often recognizable
by having, distinguishable traces o f the yellow collar which in the old male divides the green o f the throat
from the breast-feathers. The irides are o f a rather bright yellow, and the feet lead-colour with a reddish
tinge. The long flank-feathers in individuals recently killed have a very bright tint, which they lose in a
few days even in a few hours. The two middle tail-feathers are filiform, as those o f P . apoda and
P . papuana, and in no stage o f development resemble those o f P . rubra. These two feathers are not so
long as in P . apoda, and about equal to those o f P . papuana. Like its sister species, P . raggiana is an
inquisitive bird, and often approaches from branch to branch within a few yards o f the hunter, and remains
motionless for some seconds to observe its pursuer, stretching out its neck, flapping its wings, and emitting
a peculiar cry, upon the sound o f which other individuals come forward to join it. When one is wounded
and cries out, many others come forward as if to protect it, and approach quite near, descending to the
lowest boughs. The adult males frequent the tops o f the highest trees, as Mr. Wallace observed in the
other species, and as I also remarked in my former expedition. As regards the nidification I have as yet
obtained no information.” Specimens o f all ages and both sexes were procured. Would that this
enterprising traveller could set our minds at rest by letting us know something o f the nidification, colouring
o f the eggs, &c.
The following description is from a perfect specimen of a male in the possession o f Mr. Stone: ■
Total length from bill to tail 14 inches, wing 7, tail 6, tarsi 21.
Bill pale blue ; feet lead-colour with a pinky t in t; forehead and throat beautiful green, almost metallic;
crown, sides, and neck fine orange-yellow; this fine yellow also extends across the throat, separating the
green from the rich maroon o f the chest (which is very intense) ; all the upper and under surface reddish
brown, with a distinct mark of yellow on the shoulders; long flank-feathers splendid blood-red, becoming
brown towards the ends, the extremities o f which are dirty w hite; the two long filamentous feathers narrow,
and terminating in a spatula like that o f P . papuana in form. Count Salvadori describes the female as being
“ smaller than the male; o f a vinaceous chestnut-colour, paler below; the sinciput, sides of head, fore part
o f neck, and breast deep chestnut; occiput and hinder neck, as well as the sides o f the latter, yellowish.
The entire green colour o f the forehead and throat is wanting, as well as the pale yellowish straw-coloured
ring under the throat, the yellow band across the wing, and the ornaments o f the tail and flanks.
The figures in the accompanying Plate are both males, that in the foreground being the size o f life.