124 JULY 



were adjutants on every pinnacle of Government 

 House, sitting perfectly still all day like graven 

 images of bald-headed old gentlemen with hands 

 under their coat-tails, waiting for evening; when 

 they would descend with heavy flapping wings, to 

 stalk about the streets, scavenging among the heaps 

 of refuse, piled close to the entrance gate of every 

 European and native household. A most disgust- 

 ing sight it was, that rubbish heap, and being at 

 the gate, there was no possible way of avoiding it, 

 in going in or out, with results disastrous to the 

 sight and smell. Circular galvanised bins are now 

 placed near every doorway instead ; so that nothing 

 is visible, and if one does not walk too near, the 

 senses are not now assaulted. Thus the adjutants, 

 finding nothing to scavenge, have departed. 



Tame birds are great company. I have only to 

 call over the banisters, or whistle from the bottom 

 of the garden, to start the whole row of six into 

 song in answer ; though song is not exactly what 

 you would call the white cockatoo's way of express- 

 ing himself. He is fond of being stroked and 

 petted, and he begins a loud screech when he thinks 

 he ought to have a little attention. He erects his 



