360 Mr. P. L. Sclater on Ornithological 
dash upon a beetle or some other insect, while the beautiful 
King Bird-of-Paradise ( Cicinnurus regius) may be seen climb¬ 
ing on the vines, displaying the bright tints of its splendid, rich, 
and varied colours to the bright rays of a tropical sun as it 
occasionally penetrates the dense foliage of the trees.” 
“ A splendid and rare Kingfisher (. Halcyon nigrocyanea) 
and another Kingfisher ( Ceyx solitaria ) are heard uttering 
their piercing notes by a rivulet in some secluded nook. 
“ Where the trees are more lofty but not so overgrown 
by vines, the large and noble Crowned Pigeon ( Goura ), of 
the size of a Turkey, is often seen walking majestically about, 
seeking for the fruits and seeds upon which it subsists ; and 
on the top of the loftiest trees the magnificent Bed Bird of 
Paradise ( Paradisea raggiana ) is seen displaying under the 
bright sunshine its rich and beautiful plumage, and endea¬ 
vouring to excite the attention of the unadorned female from 
its elevation, out of the reach of the arrows of the natives and 
of the gun of the naturalist. But the king of the forest here is 
the Cassowary, the footprints of which are to be seen in every 
muddy place, mingled with the hoof-marks of the wild boar. 
The night at this place is disturbed by a variety of strange 
noises, and probably still stranger animals; whilst at the 
early hours of the morning we are awakened by the piercing 
cries of numbers of Lories and Honey-eating Parrots [Tri- 
choglossus) passing over our heads, the latter darting along 
with the rapidity of an arrow.” 
“ The loud whoch-whock emanates from the unmusical and 
far from celestial voice of the Birds of Paradise; and the pe¬ 
culiar, prolonged, loud and shrill, but mournful whistle of 
the great Palm Cockatoo {Microglossus aterrimus) and the 
drum-like noise of the Cassowary are heard. The scenery, if 
not very bold, is interesting for its novelty; and it is almost 
impossible to resist a kind of fascination for the wildness and 
novelty of our situation.” 
“ It is difficult to express the feeling of the explorer on 
anchoring in a new place up a river a little before sunset, and 
when every object appears before him wonderful, novel, and 
interesting, and which, on the approach of darkness, assumes 
