SOME BIRD LIFE IN BRITISH PAPUA. 417 



in addition to wliat has already been stat<»d, they consist of u]nvard 

 and downward motions, as if, while pressing against the wind, 

 advantage is taken when a lull occurs (see Fig. A) ; and, secondly, 

 with head still to windward, allowing itself to fall hack a few yards 

 as though for a " breather," but still maintaining a slight upward 

 tendency during the progress (see Fig. B). Then repetitions ad lib. 

 (See diagram.) 



Their rate of speed when with the wind ^^ould be (juite (30 to 70 

 miles an hour, if not more. 



Mr. I.iOuis Beck, Avriting in the Pall Mall Gazette, mentions the 

 frigate bird as the swiftest of all sea birds, and in some of the equa- 

 torial isles of the Pacific it is used as a letter carrier. Taken from 

 the nest before it can fly, it is hand fed on a fish diet by the natives, 

 and in the course of a few months becomes so tame that it can be 

 liberated during the day and will return to its perch at sunset. In 

 the records of the London Missionary Society mention is made of 

 the letter-carrying frigate birds of the EUice group (northwest of 

 Samoa), and that Avriter, Avho resided in those islands for three 

 years, had frequent opportunities of witnessing their performances. 



In the northern division the following birds have been recorded 

 as existing there, and it would be interesting at a future date to 

 learn of their respective peculiarities. They are the dollar bird 

 (Eiirystonius)^ New Guinea pheasant, weaver bird, and flycatcher 

 {Monachella miielleriana) . Brilliantly hued finches, wagtails, and 

 rac(piet-tailed kingfishers {Tnnys'/ptera inicrorhyncha) also excite 

 curiosity. White-headed sea hawks {IlaUastiir girrenera) are not 

 numerous, but are sufficient to make the oAvners of chickens very 

 Avrathful, oAving to their depredations in the poultry run. 



It may not. by the Avay, be out of place to dcA^ote a fcAV lines to the 

 native breed of domestic foAvls. The male is a very pretty bird, very 

 like a gamecock, Avith a long jx'ndant on either side of the tail. A 

 pure white A'ariety is also bred, and is highly prized Iw the Papuans. 

 Query: Where did these birds originally come from? All explana- 

 tions are vague on the matter. 



In the islands and several parts of the mainland curlews, golden 

 plovers, and herons, both black and Avhite, are free agents, and at as 

 high an altitude as 0,000 feet on the main range the rare orange- 

 crested bower bird (Amhh/ornis suhalarls) has its playground. 



Respecting the "death bird" of Ncav Guinea, too much credence 

 should not be indulged in until confirmed. Native myths are numer- 

 ous and extraordinar}', even precise in details. The moon, v:q are 

 impressively told bj^ some Papuans, Avas originalh' found in the soil 

 by one of their number. Avho. in attempting to carry the luminary to 

 his A'illage barely escaped Avith his life through not relinquishing the 

 prize as it ascended heaA-euAvard. 

 SM 1904 27 



