Taxidermy: A Late Victorian Blue Bird of Paradise (Paradisornis rudolphi), circa 1880-1900, an extremely rare and beautiful full mount adult male Blue-bird of paradise, perched upon a small branch above soil and grit covered groundwork beneath, enclosed within a period glass dome upon an ebonised oval base, 29cm by 16cm by 61cm overall. The legendary Blue Bird of Paradise is undoubtedly one of the world's most beautiful birds. It inhabits hostile mountainous jungle in Papua New Guinea and wasn't discovered until the last years of the 19th century, but in recent times the species has gained much publicity due to Sir David Attenborough's film of its incredible upside-down display in which it shows off its exquisite blue plumes. The species' scientific name is Paradisea rudolphi, the Rudolph in question being Crown Prince Rudolph of Austria, who was celebrated for his ornithological researches but also for his sad end when he died in a suicide pact with his lover at Mayerling. The species is endangered and is exceptionally rare as a specimen.