122 SAMOAN GROUP. 



numbers for the supply of vessels. Horses have also been brought to 

 the islands.* 



The first large quadruped ever seen by these islanders was a mule. 

 With it they were much astonished, and it was considered so great a 

 curiosity that it was carried around the island of Upolu for the 

 purpose of gratifying the natives with a sight of it. They gave it a 

 name, signifying — the hog that travels over the ground. 



Poultry of all descriptions is plentiful, and pigeons abound, which, 

 however, are considered sacred, and not used as an article of food. 

 Of the latter bird (Columba oceanica), between sixty and seventy 

 specimens of different varieties were obtained, but it is remarkable 

 that of all these, none were the same as those found in the Society 

 Islands. To the Zoological Report I would refer for further informa- 

 tion on this subject. There are but few birds of game, and none of 

 the hawk genus. A philomel was pointed out by the missionaries as 

 the principal singing bird, and the woods of Tutuila were filled with 

 warblers. The note of the philomel, although much praised, did not 

 appear agreeable to me. 



The pigeon is commonly kept as a plaything, and particularly by 

 the chiefs ; for this purpose they are fastened to a stick by a thread 

 about twelve feet in length. They are taught to fly from and return 

 to the stick, and when well tutored to this feat, the possessor of the 

 bird exhibits it with much pride and satisfaction. One of our officers 

 unfortunately on one occasion shot a pigeon, which caused great com- 

 motion, for the bird was a king-pigeon, and to kill it was thought as 

 great a crime as taking the life of a man. The people were not to be 

 pacified until the interpreter told them that the officer belonged to 

 " man-of-war," which intelligence, together with a small present, 

 satisfied them, and the matter was settled. 



To justify their regard for them, we were told that when the in- 

 habitants of Aana were driven away, about eight years since, by the 

 people of Manono, the pigeons abandoned the district, but that upon 

 their return to their homes, the pigeons again made their appearance 

 in their former abodes. 



Snakes were found in Upolu, and sea-snakes are reported to have 

 been seen off the islands. 



Fish are taken in the neighbouring waters in great abundance and 

 variety. Besides other modes of taking them, they are caught on the 

 reefs by women, who place baskets near the holes where they are 

 accustomed to take shelter. They are also speared by torchlight, and 



* On Upolu there are now twenty head of cattle, and seven horses. 



