CHAP, xiii.] NATURAL PERFUME. 429 



native game. Add to these dangers the onslaught of 

 imported brute animals, such as rats, cats, dogs, &c., 

 and the perspective view lying before the Sandwich 

 Bernicle approaches to a vanishing point faster than a 

 humane artist might desire. Only Oceanic birds and 

 domestic poultry can, at the end of twenty years, be 

 expected to have escaped the fangs of such a fierce 

 army of immigrants. 



We were surprised to discover, on handling our little 

 Sandwich islander, that his whole plumage was agree- 

 ably perfumed with musk. It was as if some one in the 

 room had suddenly displayed a scented handkerchief. 

 The question arose whether this odour was peculiar to 

 the male bird only, and whether it was constantly per- 

 ceptible, or only seasonal. I am informed that both 

 birds manifest it at all times of the year ; but in a 

 female, which Mr. Baily, of Mount Street, has obliged 

 me by procuring, it is scarcely, if at all to be perceived ; 

 from a stuffed male, in the Norwich Museum, it has 

 entirely evaporated, a proof that the source of the per- 

 fume is more deep seated than the skin and feathers. 

 Although I have kept Musk Ducks for years, I cannot 

 say that I ever was conscious of the scent from which 

 they derive their name, not caring unnecessarily to 

 handle such disgusting birds ; you cannot touch Musk 

 Ducks any more than you can handle pitch, without 

 being defiled, and perhaps well scratched besides. But 

 the Sandwich Bernicle is a cleanly creature, as well as 

 an odoriferous one. Its corporeal emanations remind 

 us of those proceeding from many of Mr. Gordon Cum- 

 ming's victims during his murderous visit to the African 

 Antelopes ; their skin emitting a most delicious and 



