- Diphyllodes speciosa (The Magnificent). New Guinea, Mysol, Salwatty.
- Diphyllodes wilsoni (The Red Magnificent). Waigiou.
- Lophorina atra (The Superb). New Guinea.
- Parotia sexpennis (The Golden Paradise Bird). New Guinea.
- Semioptera wallacei (The Standard Wing). Batchian, Gilolo.
- Epimachus magnus (The Long-tailed Paradise Bird). New Guinea
- Seleucides albs (The Twelve-wired Paradise Bird).New Guinea, Salwatty.
- Ptiloris magnifica (The Scale-breasted Paradise Bird). New Guinea.
- Ptiloris alberti (Prince Albert's Paradise Bird). North Australia.
- Ptiloris Paradisea (The Rifle Bird). East Australia.
- Ptiloris victoriae (The Victorian Rifle Bird). North-East Australia.
- Astrapia nigra (The Paradise Pie). New Guinea.
- Paradigalla carunculata (The Carunculated Paradise Pie). New Guinea.
- (?) Sericulus aureus (The Paradise Oriole). New Guinea, Salwatty.
We see, therefore, that of the eighteen species which seem to deserve a place
among the Birds of Paradise, eleven are known to inhabit the great island of
New Guinea, eight of which are entirely confined to it and the hardly separated
island of Salwatty. But if we consider those islands which are now united to
New Guinea by a shallow sea to really form a part of it, we shall find that
fourteen of the Paradise Birds belong to that country, while three inhabit the
northern and eastern parts of Australia, and one the Moluccas. All the more
extraordinary and magnificent species are, however, entirely confined to the
Papuan region.
Although I devoted so much time to a search after these wonderful birds, I
only succeeded myself in obtaining five species during a residence of many
months in the Aru Islands, New Guinea, and Waigiou. Mr. Allen's voyage to
Mysol did not procure a single additional species, but we both heard of a place
called Sorong, on the mainland of New Guinea, near Salwatty, where we were
told that all the kinds we desired could be obtained. We therefore determined
that he should visit this place, and endeavour to penetrate into the interior among
the natives, who actually shoot and skin the Birds of Paradise. He went in the
small prau I had fitted up at Goram, and through the kind assistance of the Dutch
Resident at Ternate, a lieutenant and two soldiers were sent by the Sultan of
Tidore to accompany and protect him, and to assist him in getting men and in
visiting the interior.