, as
the sun shone on it, the neck showed a rich bronze tinge, while the head
appeared to be covered with scales of a brilliant metallic-green and
blue. Over its breast was a shield of somewhat stiff feathers, with a
rich satiny gloss and of a bluish-green tint, while from the back of the
neck rose a shield--in form like that on the breast, but considerably
larger and longer--of a rich black, tinged with purple and bronze. It
would be difficult to do justice by a verbal description to the beauty
of that little gem of a bird, when, animated, it expanded its shields
and stood quivering on its perch. I often thought how much more
beautiful must be the appearance of numbers collected together in their
native woods in the interior of New Guinea, from whence this one was
brought. The feet of our little pet were yellow, and it had a black
bill. We fed it on fruits, especially small ripe figs, and also on
insects, such as grasshoppers, locusts, and cockroaches, with
occasionally caterpillars.

Another of our pets was called the six-shafted or golden bird of
paradise. It was not less curious than the former. The plumage, though
black in the shade, glows in the sun with bronze and purple, and on the
throat and breast are broad feathers of a rich golden hue, exhibiting in
a bright light green and blue tints. The back of the head is adorned
with the most brilliant feathers, shining as if composed of emeralds and
topazes; in front is a white satin-like spot, and from the sides spring
six slender feathers, thin as wires, with small oval webs at the
extremities. As if the beautiful creature was not sufficiently adorned,
on each side of the breast rise masses of soft feathers, which greatly
increase its apparent bulk when fully elevated, and almost hide its
wings.

Walter in his journal has already described several other birds of
paradise. Our uncle calculates that there are eighteen known species,
all remarkable for their beauty, and the curious arrangements and colour
of their plumage.

Poor Tanda used to look after them, and now Oliver and Grace and I have
undertaken the task as far as we are able.

We had for a long time given up watching for Walter. The _Hope_ might
find him, but it was not very likely that he could come back in the
small boat. I should have given way long ago to despair had not Oliver
been with us; but he showed me that despair is on all occasions wrong,
and I endeavoured to overcome my anxiety.