The Bird of Paradise

1878

The Jardin d'Acclimatation, Paris, has just received some living specimens of the bird of paradise, which it has hitherto been found rarely possible to bring alive to Europe.

This bird is a native of New Guinea, the inhabitants of which country endeavor to keep up the fable relative to these specimens of the feathered tribe, by persuading the Indian merchants to whom they sell them that they have no feet, and that, as they live on air and light, they have neither stomach nor intestines. That belief was encouraged by the form given by the Papuan naturalists or dealers to prepare them for sale, by drying the bird with its plumes after taking out the inside and tearing off the legs.

It is rarely found excepting in the countries which produce spices, and particularly in Australasia. New Guinea, which is comprised in that part of the world, and the Aroo Islands near, contain many specimens. The pineapple and nutmeg tree grow there in the midst of immense forests, and supply their principal food. The Papuans, barbarians as they are, derive considerable profit from the sale of the bird, and take it with nets or sticks smeared with birdlime. In the latter case they take it alive, but as it is very difficult to preserve, they prefer to use the bow and arrow.

The manner in which this chase is carried on is very curious. The men climb silently in the dark like cats into the trees in which the bird sleeps, pass the night in the forks of the branches, and at daybreak shoot at the birds while they are still asleep, with very light arrows made from the ribs of leaves of the palm-tree. Their address is so marvelous that the bird generally falls to the ground intact, stunned rather than wounded. The men continue as long as they can, and then descend to the ground and proceed to the preparation and embalming of their victims.

The Malays of Malacca are the chief purchasers of the birds, which they carry to the Molucca Isles, whence they are sent to India, China and Europe.