COCKATOOS — MONKEYS. 117 



their creed seems to enjoin cleanliness upon them, 

 as they are neat and cleanly to an almost painful 

 degree — performing their ablutions frequently and 

 thoroughly, like all others of the same faith. Pork 

 is their abomination, as much as it is to the children 

 of Judea. 



Parrots and cockatoos exist here in great numbers, 

 and may be seen in the lofty cocoa-nut trees. The 

 cockatoo is a beautiful bird, about the size of our 

 pigeon ; it is perfectly white in its body plumage ; 

 on the head is a crest consisting of three or four 

 feathers of a beautiful yellow, which it elevates at 

 pleasure ; it has a formidable beak, is easily tamed, 

 and can be taught to articulate. Ashore I saw 

 several domesticated, that jabbered Malay with great 

 fluency, and traversed the house on a perfect equality, 

 with the cats and children. Monkeys also, may be 

 seen in these groves ; they are small, but active, mis- 

 chievous, and intelligent. Cockatoos and monkeys 

 had attracted the attention of more than one of us ; 

 and half a dozen of the former, and two of the latter, 

 were transferred to our ship, where they soon made 

 themselves at home. The birds lived for some time, 

 but were finally lost overboard. The monkeys not 

 agreeing well together, one was given away, and the 

 other committed suicide by eating putty. 



On the last liberty day Kedge Anchor, from our 

 vessel, and no less than seven from the James Allen, 

 deserted ; but their departure was soon reported, and 

 natives despatched in search of them on the same 

 day. After a tiresome walk of ten miles, during 

 which they represented themselves as having been 

 treated by the natives with the utmost hospitality, 



