on liow Birds of Paradise are caught. 275


some lovely Wrens and other soft-billed birds, New Guinea Finches

of the Nun type, and a new species of Chestnut Finch. The Golden-

crested Bower Birds were worth special mention, and the gems of

the collection were the Long-tailed Kingfishers and wonderfully-

coloured Pittas. Of minor importance, though attractive enough

were the Red-eyed Glossy Starlings, Quails, and Minahs, and various

others I cannot just now remember. Besides birds, Mr. Ward

brought a new species of Wallaby and a collection of reptiles, which,

by their wonderfully vivid colours aroused the admiration of even

those who are less friendly inclined towards snakes and lizards. I

asked Mr. Ward to tell me how he procures his birds, and he was

good enough to do so and give me permission to relate some of his

observations and experiences in the ‘ Avic. Mag.’ This is what he

told me :


Port Moresby is generally the place where the outfit for an

expedition into the interior of New Guinea is procured. A collector s

licence has to be obtained, as well as a special licence for the taking

of Birds of Paradise, dead or alive. The fees for both are about £25,

and the number of Birds of Paradise permitted to be taken are stated

on the licence. As one cannot leave British New Guinea except

via Port Moresby the conditions of the permit are strictly enforced,

and an official counts the birds before they are allowed to leave the

country. Around Port Moresby, in fact within days of it, nothing

of value in birds could be caught. The collecting grounds are far

away, along the Agabung River, the Fly — or St. Joseph’s — River,

which are reached via Yule Island. As one travels inland there are

localities met with, as in Australia, devoid of natives and birds,

simply because there is nothing to eat for either — it is desolation.

To cross these districts with a transport of birds, the food for which

has to be gathered on the way, is a very trying matter.


The King Bird of Paradise and the Great Bird of Paradise are

the first to be met with in the sultry river flats, and to obtain them

is comparatively easy. Mr. Ward says the catching of the Great

Bird of Paradise is quite a religious ceremony with the natives, and

although he tried hard during his several visits to be allowed to be

present he never succeeded in seeing one caught. The men whose

job it is to catch them must not eat meat for days prior, besides con-



