CHAP, xxiii.] THE PEOPLE OF KAIOA. 33 



Megapodius, or mound-maker. A few of the pretty 

 racquet-tailed kingfishers were also obtained, but in very- 

 poor plumage. They proved, however, to be of a different 

 species from those found m the other islands, and come 

 nearest to the bird originally described by Linnteus 

 under the name of Alcedo dea, and which came from 

 Ternate. This would indicate that the small chain of 

 islands parallel to Gilolo have a few peculiar species in 

 common, a fact which certainly occurs in insects. 



The people of Kaioa interested me miich. They are 

 evidently a mixed race, having Malay and Papuan af&ni- 

 ties, and are allied to the peoples of Ternate and of Gilolo. 

 They possess a peculiar language, somewhat resembling 

 those of the surrounding islands, but quite distinct. They 

 are now Mahometans, and are subject to Ternate. The 

 only fruits seen here were papaws and pine-apples, the 

 rocky soil and dry climate being unfavourable. Eice, maize, 

 and plantains flourish well, except that they suffer from 

 occasional dry seasons like the present one. There is a 

 little cotton grown, from which the women weave sarongs 

 (Malay petticoats). There is only one well of good water 

 on the islands, situated close to the landing-place, to 

 which all the inhabitants come for drinking w^ater. The 

 men are good boat-builders, and they make a regular trade 

 of it and seem to be very well off. 



After five days at Kaioa we continued our journey, and 



VOL. ir. D 



