303 MR. R, B. SHA.EPE ON THE OBNITHOtOGT OF 



by the natives of New Gruinea. They had gone in their large 

 boat to the east side of Hall Sound to shoot Birds of Paradise, 

 when they were attacked by three canoes, and both white men were 

 killed. The native crew managed to get away in the boat, and 

 brought the sad news here (Somerset)." His collection of birds 

 was placed in my hands by his friend, Dr. Alfred Roberts, of 

 Sydney, to whom they had been consigned by the deceased tra- 

 veller ; and the present paper is an account of this collection. All 

 the skins were very well prepared, and the particulars of locality, 

 date, and sex marked in most instances. The following is an 

 account of the places where the collection was formed, furnished 

 by Dr. James to Dr. Eoberts : — 



" Aleya is the native name for a ' salt arm ' which is situated on 

 the opposite side of the mainland south-east of Yule Island, aod 

 distant about six or seven miles. This salt arm passes through 

 an extensive mangrove swamp, and, after winding about for more 

 than a mile in extreme length, terminates at the base of a slight 

 rising ground, the latter being covered with dense " scrub." To 

 the west, not over two miles distant, loom up several hills forming 

 a short mountain-range, which runs about S.E.-and N.W. Two 

 of these hills, I fancy, are not less than six or eight hundred feet 

 high. So this locality embodies both low swampy country and 

 dry scrubby land." 



" Nicura. This is a village of fifteen houses, and about seventy- 

 five inhabitants, situated a little north of east from Yule Island, 

 and about ten or twelve miles distant. It is not more than 

 three miles distant from the coast-line. The village is situated 

 on a Uncal^ptus-rsinge of hills, I fancy not over 150 feet above 

 the level ; about half a mile to the north of Nicura this range 

 of hills is broken by the valley down which the Nicura river 

 wends its tortuous way. To the south and south-east, how- 

 ever, this gravelly Eucalyptus-vskUge extends for many miles. It 

 is not very wide, is bounded on the west by Hall's Sound for part 

 of its distance, and by a thick marginal belt of mangrove swamp — 

 on the east by the valley of the Nicura, which is a low swampy 

 country, in the main, supporting a very heavy growth of scrub and 

 forest trees. It is in the latter locality that birds abound, with a 

 few of the Paradiseidse ; along the range of hills kangaroos and 

 birds of prey are to be found in great numbers. 



" Selena is another salt arm, extending into the above-mentioned 

 belt of mangroves and terminating at its inland margin. It is 



