Sydney Porter—Wanderings in the Far East



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sees are smuggled in. I saw one large crate of Black-caps, all in a

terrible state, every day their number grew less and in a week only

about a quarter of the original number were left.


I was surprised to see a great many Australian birds in the shops,

also African and South American. These, I believe, are brought from

their respective countries by Chinese sailors who do this trading to add

to their meagre wages.


I saw quite a few Swainson’s Lorikeets in the shops, these had been

brought by Chinese sailors from Australian ports.


Amongst the rarities which I saw and purchased was a female

Muller’s Parrakeet (Tanygnathus sumatranus ) from the Celebes.

There were a few mammals, such as pathetic-looking gibbons, including

some very attractive white and cream ones which I was greatly tempted

to purchase, but knowing to my cost that monkeys and birds do not

mix very well, I refrained. On the whole the bird-shops, which are

owned by the Chinese, and located in the Chinese quarter, are dark

and foul smelling death-traps for the unfortunate creatures which

Fate decrees shall enter there.


The absolute antithesis of all the foregoing was to be found in a

zoological park owned by a Mr. Basapa, a wealthy animal dealer

of Singapore. This “ zoo ”, which is situated some miles outside of

the city, is in ideal surroundings, and in the spacious aviaries I saw

a galaxy of rarities such that I have not seen for many a day.

Most of the birds were in very good condition. The following are a few

which I can remember : Sarus, Stanley, Crowned, and Demoiselle

Cranes ; various species of Cassowaries ; numerous Malayan Pheasants,

including Bornean and Malayan Argus, Yiellot’s, Sumatran, and

Siamese Crested Fire-backs, also Buff-tailed and the rare Crestless

Bornean Fire-backs; there were several of the famous Bulwer’s

Pheasants. I was rather disappointed in these, as it was the first

time I had seen them alive. In museum specimens they are made to

look all tail, which when spread is no doubt very impressive, but in

life the tail is held horizontally and folded very compactly, which gives

no idea of its large size ; in size the birds resemble a small and slender

Fire-back. Unfortunately a good many of these birds were maimed,

owing to being caught by the legs in snares, in fact I should think that



