Vol. xxix.] 8 



'* The call of Paradisea nova-guinede could often be heard 

 on the upper parts of the river, but during many journeys 

 up and down, on a single occasion only did I catch a 

 glimpse of one. Oa the Wataikwa River in August I 

 collected a number of full-plumaged males and immature 

 birds in all stages of moult^ and it -would seem as though 

 there is no regular moulting-season. Nowhere where we 

 went could it be said that these birds were plentiful. The 

 Pygmies often brought the plumes of P. minor to Parimau 

 and traded them with the natives there. As we never came 

 across that species, I think there is no doubt that the 

 Charles Louis Range forms its boundary. As the Pygmies 

 live to the west they probably trade with the natives over 

 there. The Rifle-Bird (Ptilorhis iutercedens) was fairly 

 common both on the coast and near the mountains, in fact 

 at Parimau and Wataikwa its call was heard at almost all 

 hours of the day, and might be mistaken for that of the 

 Black Cockatoo, which it much resembles, consisting of 

 two long-drawn-out notes, one ascending and the other 

 descending. Parotia meeki was obtained after I left, as 

 also that most beautiful species, Xanihomelas ardens. While 

 watching some Pigeons through my glasses on the opposite 

 bank of the river at No. 4 camp, I saw a small bird rise 

 from the top of a tree and soar into the air like a Sky-Lark. 

 After it had risen about 30 feet it suddenly appeared to 

 collapse and fell back into the tree as if it had been shot. 

 It was a King Bird-of-Paradise {Cicinnurus regius), and 

 probably this was part of its display. Although I watched 

 for a long time, the performance was not repeated. 



"Along this part of the mountains that curious Parrot 

 DasyptUus pesqiieti was fairly common. Its hoarse, grating 

 call, quite unlike that of any other Parrot with which I am 

 acquainted, could be heard a long way off. The species 

 usually moved about in parties of four or five individuals, 

 and occasionally I saw as many as seven together. When 

 not feeding they always chose the tallest trees to rest in, 

 preferring dead ones vAliich towered above the general level 

 of the jungle, where they avouIcI remain for hours at a 



