It seemed impatient, hopping about without withdrawing its gaze from the mirror, uttering the usual cawing notes, but with evident surprise that the reflected figure (or, as he seemed to regard it, his opponent) imitated so closely all his actions, and was as watchful as himself. There was, however, on his part, no indication of combativeness by any elevation of the feathers, nor was any irritation displayed at not being able to approach nearer to the supposed new comer from his own native land. His attention was directed to the mirror during the time it remained before him, but when removed he went quietly and composed himself upon the upper perch, as if nothing had excited him.
One of the best opportunities of seeing this splendid bird in all its beauty of action, as well as display of plumage, is early in the morning, when he makes his toilet; the beautiful sub-alar plumage is then thrown out and cleaned from any spot that may sully its purity, by being passed gently through the bill; the short, chocolate-coloured wings are extended to the utmost, and he keeps them in a steady flapping motion, as if in imitation of their use in flight, at the same time raising up the delicate long feathers over the back, which are spread in a chaste and elegant manner, floating like films in the ambient air. In this position the bird would remain for a short time, seemingly proud of its heavenly beauty, and in raptures of delight with its most enchanting self; it will then assume various attitudes, so as to regard its plumage in every direction.
I never yet beheld a soil on its feathers. After expanding the wings it would bring them together so as to conceal the head, then, bending it gracefully, it would inspect the state of its plumage underneath. This action is repeated in quick succession, uttering at the time its croaking notes; it then pecks and cleans its plumage in every part within reach, and throwing out the elegant and delicate tuft of feathers underneath the wings, seemingly with much care, and with not a little pride, they are cleaned in succession, if required, by throwing them abroad, elevating, and passing them in succession through the bill. Then, turning its back to the spectator, the actions above-mentioned are repeated, but not in so careful a manner; elevating its tail and long shaft feathers, it raises the delicate plumage of a similar character to the sub-alar, forming a beautiful dorsal crest, and, throwing its feathers up with much grace, appears as proud as a lady dressed in her full ball-dress. Having completed the toilet, he utters the usual cawing notes, at the same time looking archly at the spectators, as if ready to receive all the admiration that it considers its elegant form and display of plumage demands; it then takes exercise by hopping in a rapid, but graceful manner, from one end of the upper perch to the other, and descends suddenly upon the second perch, close to the bars of the cage, looking out for the grasshoppers, which it is accustomed to receive at this time.
Should any person place his finger into the cage the bird darts at it rapidly; if it is inserted and withdrawn quickly, the slightly-curved extremity of the upper mandible causes the intruder to receive a sharp peck, but if the finger is placed quietly in the cage, close to the beak of the animal, he grasps and thrusts it out, as if hinting that he dislikes its intrusion.
His prehensile power in the feet is very strong, and, still retaining his hold, the bird will turn himself round upon the perch. He delights to be sheltered from the glare of the sun, as that luminary is a great source of annoyance to him, if permitted to dart its fervent rays directly upon the cage. The iris frequently expanding and contracting, adds to the arch, wicked look of this animated bird, as he throws the head on one side to glance at visitors, uttering the cawing notes, or barking aloud, to the astonishment of the auditors, who regard the bird as being in a very great rage at something or other beyond their conception. Having concluded, he jumps down to the lower perch in search of donations of living grasshoppers, seemingly in the most happy and good-humoured manner.
The bird is not at all ravenous in its habits of feeding; but it eats rice leisurely, almost grain by grain. Should any of the insects thrown into his cage fall on the floor, he will not descend to them, appearing to be fearful that in so doing he should soil his delicate plumage; he therefore seldom or ever descends, except to perform his ablutions in the pan of water placed at the bottom of the cage expressly for his use.
Near the “Paradise Bird,” in another large cage, is the Superb Magpie, having all the thievish propensities, with the usual saucy manner of the tribe; its plumage is beautiful, the principal colour being in splendid purple markings; the bill is of an orange colour; like dogs and children, it seems fond of being noticed; it welcomes visitors by spreading its long and elegant tail, as well as by raising and showing off its pretty plumage to the best advantage, looking out sharply for insects, and, at the same time, uttering a peculiar noise which somewhat resembles that which is heard from a monkey in distress. When insects are given to this bird, he is not so particular as his neighbour, but devours them instantly entire, either dead or alive, looking immediately afterwards for another supply. The food given to it is boiled rice, grasshoppers, &c. Like others of its tribe, it is fond of pilfering and concealing whatever is heedlessly left in its way, and it can carry off. To speak phrenologically, its acquisitiveness is large, and conscientiousness small.
Several beautiful Loris, from the islands of the eastern Archipelago, clothed in brilliant and gaudy plumage, are in the collection. Among these are the Amboyna and Ternate Loris, called Kustoree in the language of the natives; the King parrot of New South Wales, (Platycercus scapulatus,) and others of the parrot tribe from different parts of the world. I observed an Indian ring-neck parroquet, with its breast, for the whole extent, bare of feathers; (in which state it has been for five years and upwards, and as the glands are destroyed they cannot be renewed; the loss of plumage was attributed originally to giving the creature salt meat;) its long tail is quite perfect. This ridiculous-looking, half-fledged production of the parrot tribe, gets upon and clings to the bars of its cage on any person approaching, and commences to exercise all its power of language to amuse the visitor. There are also some pretty Minas from Cochin China, who imitate, in their peculiar voice, not only all the sounds uttered by the birds around them, but also the various cries of the Chinese, when vending their wares about the streets; the imitation is strictly correct.
From the lower garden,—which is filled with choice flowering shrubs and plants,—an ascent of a flight of steps brings the visitor to another garden on a terrace, to which there is also an entrance from the upper rooms of the dwelling-house: here the large and magnificent aviary is situated. Both in external appearance, and internal arrangement, there is a display of much taste and elegance, and every arrangement calculated to ensure comfort to its numerous feathered inhabitants. The aviary is forty feet in length by twenty in breadth, and probably thirty or forty feet high; it is divided into two portions, having communications from one to the other, usually left open, but capable of being closed, if such a proceeding should be found necessary. It is situated on one side of the house, the windows of which look through the lattice-work into the aviary: the whole of the aviary, above and around, having a similar lattice work of fine wire, surmounted by a dome at one part of the summit. The whole construction displays much neatness and taste, as well as being admirably calculated for the object in view; the wood-work, between the wire-lattice, is very ornamental; the song of some of the birds, with the bustle and twittering of others, as they hop about, or take their flight from tree to tree, has a very animating and pleasing effect from the sitting-rooms of the house.
In the aviary large trees and various shrubs are planted for the convenience of the inhabitants: in the branches of the former, small baskets, as nests, are placed for those birds whose habits cause them to build in trees, and in those places many of the present inhabitants of the aviary have been born and reared. Near a tank, constantly filled with water, a quantity of artificial rock-work is constructed, forming an ornament to the aviary as well as a place of utility for the birds of that class who are accustomed to such situations when at liberty, and who breed in the crevices; every precaution is likewise taken around the aviary to prevent the ingress of rats, who, by getting in when it was first constructed, caused much destruction among the feathered tribe.