6810 Birds, 



had had them eight months, that he procured them soon after his 

 arrival at New Britain for Sydney, and since that time had been 

 trading about the islands, having these birds on board. They were 

 fed principally on yams. I observed they were in poor condition, but 

 healthy in appearance, and plumage in good order. They were about 

 half the size of the specimen sent to England ; but one, apparently 

 the male bird, appeared a little larger than the other. Captain Deolin 

 informs me that the natives capture them very young, soon after they 

 are hatched, and rear them by hand. The natives rarely or never can 

 capture the adult bird, as they are so very shy and difficult of approach 

 — the native weapons being ineffectual against so rapid and wary a 

 bird. These birds are very swift of foot, and possess great strength 

 in the legs. On the least alarm they elevate the head, and, seeing 

 danger, dart among the thick brush, and thread about in localities 

 where no human being could follaw them, and disappear like magic. 

 This bird, with its strong legs and muscular thighs, has an extraordinary 

 power of leaping ; it was from this circumstance the first bird brought 

 from New Britain was lost. From its habit of leaping, it one day 

 made a spring on the deck, and went overboard ; as it was blowing a 

 strong breeze at the time the bird perished. In warm weather, the 

 captain informs me, they are fond of having a bucket of salt water 

 thrown over them, and seem to enjoy it very much. I succeeded in 

 purchasing these birds ; and Captain Slater (the present commander 

 of the " Oberon ") brought them to my house in a cab, and when 

 placed in the yard they walked about as tame as turkeys. They 

 approached any one that came into the yard, pecking the hand as if 

 desirous of being fed, and were very docile. They began by pecking 

 at a bone in the yard, probably not having tasted any meat for some 

 time, and would not, while engaged upon it, touch some boiled 

 potatoes which were thrown to them ; indeed, we found afterwards 

 they fed better out of a dish than from the ground — no doubt, having 

 been accustomed early to be fed in that manner. They were as familiar 

 as if born and bred among us for years, and did not require time to 

 reconcile them to their new situation, but became sociable and quite 

 at home at once. We found them next day rather too tame, or, like 

 spoiled pets, too often in the way. One or both of them would walk 

 into the kitchen ; while one was dodging under the tables and chairs, 

 the other would leap upon the table, keeping the cook in a state of 

 excitement ; or they would be heard chirping in the hall, or walk into 

 the library in search of food or information, or walk up stairs, and 

 then be quickly seen descending again, making their peculiar chirping, 



