W)]. xxix.] 4 



their high perches their red faces and erect crests wei*e 

 conspicuous. 



" Here we also obtained a few specimens of the large 

 Kingfisher (Dacelo intermedia), but it was by no means 

 common. Among the riot of parasitic plants which cover 

 the trees a few Sunbirds and small Honey-eaters might 

 always be seen. The nests of the former suspended from 

 fallen and partially submerged dead trees were continuously 

 swinging from side to side, the strong current in the river 

 keeping the trees in perpetual motion. These nests might 

 easily be mistaken for a handful of drift left there by the 

 river. Probably the most conspicuous bird on the lower 

 river was the Kingfisher {Scmromarptis gaudichaudi), and its 

 loud grating call could be heard in all directions. The 

 natives brought numbers of half-fledged young ones to our 

 base-camp during May and June, "which were purchased by 

 the Javanese soldiers and couvicts. As they gave them 

 boiled rice only, it is needless to say that their lives were 

 very brief. At the base-camp the true jungle commenced, 

 and here birds were more numerous, but, owing to the 

 still denser growth, were more often heard than seen, and 

 unless their calls were known, identification was often 

 impossible. Two or three days after we landed the 

 Gurkhas brought in the first Cassowary. It was impossible 

 to skin it, but I made a careful note of the colours 

 of its soft parts. Since looking at Mr. Rothschild^s plate 

 of Casuarius intensus, I have no hesitation in attributing it 

 to that species. The casque was erect (not turned over as 

 in most of the specimens of C. sclateri, of which we subse- 

 quently shot many) and finely shaped. The wattles were 

 only partially divided and of a light blue colour with a few 

 pinkish marks on the underside. When I was leaving the 

 country eight months later one of the Gurkhas brought 

 in the head of another specimen identical witii the first, 

 but, as far as I know^, this species was never met with 

 on the Upper Mimika, whereas C. sclateri was common to 

 both parts and fairly numerous. The natives have distinct 



