458 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1889. 



or tomb presented a formidable appearance. Messrs. Salmon & Bran- 

 der bave a herd of GOO cattle, and a flock of sheep numbering 18,000. 

 The cattle are from Chilian stock, are small, averaging only about 400 

 pounds, and possess no dairy qualities ; the cows giving barely enough 

 milk to rear their calves. The sheep were also imported from Chili. 

 The wool is coarse and scant, the average being only about 2 pounds 

 per animal. The export of last year in wool was 16 tons, and was shiped 

 to Europe via Tahiti. An effort will be made next year to improve the 

 breed of sheep by introducing blooded rams from Australia. A few 

 tough little horses have been introduced from the island breed of Tahiti, 

 but it is doubtful whether this will ever become an important industry. 



BIRDS. 



Small birds are altogether absent and, except the ordinary domestic 

 fowl, we found only the tropic or man-of-war bird, petrels, gulls, and a 

 variety of aquatic birds. George Foster observed noddies so tame as 

 to settle on the shoulders of the natives, but he did not conclude that 

 they kept a regular breed of them. The common domestic fowl was 

 found on the island by the early navigators, and it is claimed that they 

 were brought there by the first colonists. They are of the same kind 

 as the common chickens reared at home; their bodies are small, and 

 the legs long, but this is no doubt the result of long inbreeding. The 

 natives all have tame fowls about their dwellings, but there are others 

 in a wild state. We shot some of the wildfowls and found them tough 

 and inferior in taste to those that were domesticated. 



FISHES. 



Fish has always been the principal means of support for the islanders, 

 and the natives are exceedingly expert in the various methods of capt- 

 uring them. The bonito, albicore, ray, dolphin, and porpoise are the 

 off- shore fish most highly esteemed, but the swordfish and shark are 

 also eaten. Rock-fish are caught in abundance and are remarkably 

 sweet and good. Small fish of many varieties are caught along the 

 shore, and the flying-fish are common. Eels of immense size are caught 

 in the cavities and crevices of the rock-bound coast. Fresh- water fish 

 are reported to exist in the lakes inside of the craters, but we did not 

 see any of them. 



Turtles are plentiful and are highly esteemed ; at certain seasons a 

 watch for them is constantly maintained on the sand beach. The tur- 

 tle occupies a prominent place in the traditions, and it is frequently re- 

 presented in the hieroglyphics and also appears on the sculptured rocks. 

 A species of crayfish classified by Dr. Philippi, of Chili, as "papar- 

 ohalu," is abundant. These are caught by the natives by diving into 

 the pools among the rocks, and form an important article of food. 



Shell-fish are plentiful. Remains of several varities of univalves 

 were found in the stone houses at Orongo, and frequently met with in 

 the debris of the caves throughout the island. 



