69 



longest plumes of all the long-plumed species ; and for this 

 reason, coupled with the high prices paid for it, has been more 

 sought after, so that now very few are taken. This is the ground 

 for Mr. Pratt's remark that there is "so little trade in this bird." 

 The regions around Ansols and Jobi Island having been depleted 

 a few years back the steamers commenced to call at two new port* 

 Wooi and Pom, and most of the traders removed to those places. 

 Mr. Pratt seems to think that all the mountain species at any 

 rate are free from danger of extermination. Before the shooting 

 was closed in the British territory, no mountains were too 

 inaccessible for the shooters. I myself have met men coming 

 back from the high parts of the Owen Stanley range, ten and 

 twelve days' journey inland, whose catch has been composed 

 almost solely of Meyer's Sickle Bill, the Princess Stephanie, 

 Lawes, and the Prince Rudolph or Blue Bird the very ones 

 whose " inaccessible " homes Mr. Pratt considers sufficient 

 protection. I know for a fact that immature Blue Birds have 

 been offered for sale at the Sale-rooms in London. Two years 

 ago I visited the native haunts of this species, in order to try 

 to get a few living specimens. After many weeks' search, two 

 only were discovered. Everywhere I met with the same answ e r 

 from the natives : "Ah So-and-so's boys were here, and they 

 killed them all off." The late Mr. Stalker found the same thing 

 in the Mount Kebia district, the part which Mr. Pratt quotes. I 

 may point out that Lawes Bird of Paradise is not found in Dutch 

 New Guinea at all, but is confined solely to parts of the British 

 division. Guns are not at all necessary to capture any of the 

 Six-Plumed species, as they are probably the most easily snared 

 of all birds by the natives. Three years ago there was a sudden 

 demand for the metallic breast-patch of this species, and great 

 numbers were caught. 



Too much reliance cannot be placed upon the supposed pro- 

 tection existing in British Papua. The law requires to be much 

 more vigorously enforced. This is proved by the fact that 

 raggiana skins still come to the Sale-rooms, though this species 

 does not exist outride the British parts. 



