XIV.] HOMEWARD-BOUND. 345 



a vertical position — a fact of which I had not been previously 

 aware. Unless this is done, the meconium or liquid in the pupa- 

 case — of which there is nearly a teaspoonful — entirely ruins the 

 beautiful plumage. I lost several specimens in this way liefore 

 discovering the remedy. 



On the 8th of December our hunters returned from Wanumbai, 

 and we learnt that two German collectors, of whom we had heard 

 from the Posthouder, were in that neighbourhood. They had 

 been nine months in the islands, and were said to have suffered 

 terribly from the effects of the climate. Our men brought very 

 few specimens, and those of no great interest. The natives who 

 had been over to Batulei also returned with the information that 

 the praus had, up to that time, got few or no pearls, owing to a 

 continuance of bad weather. AVe therefore determined to sail at 

 once. It was a disappointment to have to limit ourselves to the 

 mere tourist's view of the Arus that we had thus obtained, but the 

 season was unfavourable for us, and it was doubtful whether, under 

 any circumstances, we should be able to reach England before the 

 summer, as we desired. 



Our departure was delayed by a final attempt to get a bird we 

 had long coveted, but bid for in vain. It was a tame specimen of 

 the rare Blue-streaked Crimson Lory {Eos cyanostriatus) — a native 

 of the little-known Timor Laut gi'oup, which lies to the westward 

 of the Aru Islands. Its owner had always refused to sell it, but 

 at the last moment he changed his mind and paddled off with it 

 to the yacht. The price asked was, however, so exorbitant that 

 our negotiations again fell through, and the lory and its owner 

 departed for the shore. The only unpleasant reminiscence I have 

 of the Aru Islands is that of the little spot of red fading rapidly in 

 the distance. A few moments later we were dropping slowly out 

 of the harbour — Homeward-bound. 



