Bird of Paradise
2 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Bird of Paradise. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
a family of birds found chiefly in New Guinea , northern Australia, and adjacent islands. The family is related to that of the crow. The species vary in size, however, some being no larger than a sparrow. The common name is derived from the magnificent plumage of the male, particularly that of the tail and wings, and sometimes shoulder tufts, which extend frequently to several times the length of the body. Rich colors,--purples, orange, scarlet, crimson, steel green, violet, and glossy black,--with deep metallic lusters, prevail. The commercial demand for the feathers has led to the destruction of these birds in great numbers. All are forest birds, spending their lives in noisy flocks amid the tree tops. They live chiefly on berries, seeds, and insects. Some species examine the trunks of trees like creepers, and a few descend to the ground for worms and snails. Their nests are for the most part loose, careless platforms of sticks, built pigeon fashion. During the nesting season the gay colored male remains at some distance, probably for prudential reasons, so as not to attract enemies, while the quietly clad female takes care of the nest. 2026 Editor's Note: The "magnificent plumage" this entry admires was killing the birds: tens of thousands of skins a year went to the millinery trade for women's hats, until the plume trade was outlawed. Birds-of-paradise are now protected, and their extraordinary courtship dances — filmed at last by modern camera crews — turned out to be even stranger than their feathers. (Ed: BR 2026-07-18)
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
the English designation of a family of conirostral birds -the paradiseida. They are closely allied to the corvidæ (crows), with which, indeed, they are united by some writers. They have magnificent plumage, especially the males, who can, canopy of morevover, elevate quite a The fable plumes behind their necks. of the phenix is believed to have been framed from myths current about the birds of paradise.