- May I just say that this is
an extraordinary privilege.
That Wallace's standard
wing which is this,
was found by Wallace as a
species or it's genus indeed,
and it's a member of the bird
of paradise group, family.
And the standard wings
are these extraordinary
white standards that come out
from the front of the wing
and it's display is breathtaking
and unforgettable and I don't forget it
'cause I have seen it.
And it was just one of
the most thrilling things,
these things suddenly
rise vertically in the air
and then stick out these standards
and make a curious whirring
noise as they come down
and it's a mass display.
One tree may have as many as
30 of these things doing it.
And it's once seen, never forgotten
and to have the privilege
of actually handling
the skin of one, and
putting it on display,
is a privilege indeed
in a glittering splendid
wonderful, wonderland and treasure house
that is this museum.
I congratulate absolutely
every single person
who lifted a finger anyway.
And thank you very much
for taking us round.
It's a thrill, one of the most
exciting zoological
assemblages I've ever seen.
Thank you very much.
(audience applause)
