NARRATIVE OF THE CRUISE. 
729 
possession of the natives. If therefore, as is probable, from signs made by the natives, 
there are wild pigs on the main island of the group, they must be unlike the 
Papuan pigs in this respect, and resemble more the New Hebrides breeds. Two dogs 
were seen on Wild Island ; one, a puppy, was white, smooth haired, like a fox terrier 
in appearance, and very like a dog that was in the possession of the natives at Humboldt 
Bay. These were the only dogs seen amongst the natives. Rats were not observed on 
any of the islands. No fowls were seen in the possession of the natives, but a plume of 
cock’s feathers worn as a head-dress was obtained from one native. Fowls must therefore 
exist in the islands somewhere, but are probably scarce, as only this one plume was 
seen. 
The Dugong, a Dolphin, and a Phalanger ( Cuscus ) are killed by the natives. Two 
species of Fruit Bats ( Pteropus hypomelanus and Harpyia cephalotes) were procured. 
Of Reptiles, two species of Turtles are common, Chelone midcis and Chelone 
imbricata, the latter being the source of the principal article of barter, tortoiseshell. 
In the swamp-pools is a species of Crocodile. There are also, at least, two species of 
Snakes (Hydrophidse), one of which is Platurus laticaudatus. A Gecko ( Heteropus ) 
and two species of blue-tailed Lizards ( Mabouyci cyanura and another), a Skink 
(Keneuxia smaragdina), and a large Monitor ( Varanus indicus ) were procured by the 
Expedition, the Lizards being very abundant. 
Among the birds collected were six new species . 1 The most abundant are the Fruit 
Pigeons ( Carpophaga rhodinolcema), which feed upon the wild coffee and nutmegs, and 
roost in vast numbers upon one of the outlying islands. Small Tree Swifts ( Colloccdia ) 
fly about among the cocoanut trees, and all day flocks of Terns and Noddies ( Sterna 
lunata, Anous) follow, in the still waters within the reefs, the shoals of Skipjacks 
(Caranx) as they pursue the smaller fish. The shores are inhabited by several species 
of littoral birds. There was seen on the main island a scarlet and black Parrot or 
Cockatoo of some kind, which flew out of some high trees on the sea shore, screaming 
loudly, like a Cockatoo. It was wary, and could not be .approached within shooting 
distance. 
Among the fish collected by the Expedition were three new species ; one Lophius and 
two Pleuronectids . 2 The only Butterfly obtained on Wild Island was a new species 
(Sccphara Ursula, Butler), and the only Moth captured was Damalis' alciphron. Of 
the twelve species of land and fresh water Mollusca collected nine were previously 
undescribed . 3 
1 Rhipidura semirubra, Scl. ; Philemon albitorques, Scl. ; Monarcha infelix, Scl. ; Myzomela pammelcena, Scl. ; 
Carpophaga rhodinolcema, Scl. ; a,nd Ptilopus johannis, Scl. 
2 Lophius naresi, Giinth. ; Pseudorhombus ocellatus, Giinth. ; and Nematops microstoma, Giinth. 
3 Athoracopliorus virgatus, Smith ; Helix ( Geotrochus ) moseleyi, Smith ; Helix ( Geotrcchus )labillardierei, Smith ; Helix 
( Hemiplecta ) infrastriata, Smith ; Helix (Hemiplecta ?) c'artereti, Smith ; Helix ( Chloritis ) dentrecasteauxi, Smith ; Partula 
hartmanni , Smith ; Cyclostoma infans, Smith ; Helicina ponsonUji, Smith, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., pp. 263-266, 1884. 
