286 
A THORNY JUNGLE. 
Everything grew zigzag and jagged, and in an inextricable tangle. It 
was in such places that the pittas often lurked ; as well as beautiful 
grass-green doves, little black and crimson flower-peckers, large black 
cuckoos, golden orioles, metallic king-crows, and the handsome, stately 
jungle-cocks, the origin of all our domestic breeds of poultry. On the 
palm-trees abound the great, green fruit-pigeons; these exceed in size 
the largest of our tame pigeons, and feed upon the bunches of palm- 
fruits, and upon any other fruit which comes in their way. Here, too, 
flutters the pretty Australian bee-eater. This gi-aceful little creature 
sits on twigs in open places, gazing eagerly around, and darting off" at 
intervals to seize any insect which may be flying near, returning after- 
wards to the same twig to swallow the victim. An elegant and a 
pretty bird is this, with long, sharp, curved bill, two long, narrow 
feathers in the tail, and fine green plumage, diversified by a rich brown 
and black and vivid blue on the throat. 
From Mr. Bickmore's pages we borrow a picture of the bird-life of 
Buru. 
In the watercourses which intersect its deep forests, the kingfishers 
