he ground. Many of the
butterflies we saw were of magnificent size, and all richly adorned with
the most brilliant colours.

At length the savages stopped under some high trees with wide-spreading
branches, though thinly clothed with leaves. Several of them then
ascended, carrying with them bows, and a number of arrows with round
weighted heads, while each man also carried a large piece of
roughly-formed matting at his side. Ascending the trees, they stretched
out the matting across the branches, just above a convenient fork on
which they took their seats. In a short time, as the sun was tingeing
the lofty tops of the trees, we heard the well-known sound of "Wawk--
wawk--wawk!--Wok--wok--wok!" Soon afterwards we caught sight of a
flight of the most magnificent birds of paradise assembled on the
branches, and immediately they began the curious dance we had before
seen, spreading out their brilliant feathers, which glittered like
masses of gold thread in the sunlight above our heads. The hunters
meantime lay hid under their palm-leaf shelter. Presently, one let fly
an arrow, which stunned a bird, and it fell to the ground. Another and
another arrow was shot, few failing to bring down a bird. The lovely
creatures, unconscious of the fate of their companions, continued their
dance, seeming too much interested in themselves to think of the rest.
At length an arrow whizzed by one of the birds, which it failed to
strike. This seemed to astonish the rest; and, looking about, it
discovered one of the hunters. Immediately, with loud cries, the whole
rose from the tree, and flew away with rapid wings from the spot. The
savages then got down the tree to secure their prizes.

Satisfied with their success, they now took out some food, which they
commenced eating. Macco, as before, in spite of their angry looks,
carried off a small portion for us and himself. As soon as their meal
was hastily concluded, they began cutting off the wings and feet of the
birds. When the skin was taken off the body, a stout stick was run
through it, coming out at the mouth. Round this a number of leaves,
were stuffed, and the skin was then wrapped up in a palm-spathe. I saw
at once how it was that the legend of their having no wings or feet had
arisen. The beautiful flowing plumage appeared to great advantage, but
the body, by this process, was greatly reduced and shortened, and gave a
very erroneous idea of the real shape of the bird.