Letters, Extracts, and Notes. 195 



unite in undertaking the zoological exploration of a totally 

 unknown land of vast and unlimited promise, and that the 

 ornithological results, which are certain to prove unique, 

 should lie published in a special volume of the ' Ibis ' in 

 further commemoration of the Jubilee. 



'' The following is a brief outline of the scheme, with which 

 I am sure you will all be in sympathy, and in which I hope 

 as many of you as possible will participate. 



" The wonderful Fauna of New Guinea, especially the 

 marvellous forms of Bird-life to be found there, has long 

 attracted the attention of naturalists in all parts of the 

 world. The explorations during recent years of certain 

 portions of the Dutch territory at the north-west end and of 

 the British and German possessions at the eastern extremity 

 have brought to light many extraordinary and hitherto 

 unknown forms, more particularly new Birds-of-Paradise 

 and Gardener Bower-Birds ; but the central portion of that 

 vast island is still absolutely unexplored, though there is 

 no })ortion of the Globe that promises to yield such an 

 abundance of Zoological treasures to those prepared to face 

 the difficulties of penetrating to the great ranges of the 

 interior, 



" The Charles Louis Mountaiiis in Central Dutch New 

 Guinea are an immense snow-capped range forming part of 

 the great central system that stretches east and west across 

 the island. The highest peaks are believed to attain an 

 altitude of from 16,500 to 17,500 feet, and are thus the 

 loftiest mountains in the whole Archipelago, and in the whole 

 area between the Himalayas and the Andes. They probably 

 exceed the Owen Stanley Mountains in British New 

 Guinea by about 5000 feet. Until quite recently the 

 hostility of the natives has frustrated all attempts to enter 

 this part of New Guinea, but the time has now come when 

 it is possible for a properly equipped expedition to explore 

 the range, the Dutch having arrived at an amicable under- 

 standing with the inhabitants. 



'' During the last few years Mr. Walter Goodfellow, the 



