THE SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 754, 20 November 1876, Page 3

THE SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.

From a report in the Southern Cross on the specimens collected by the Bev Mr Brown during a two years’ sojourn in New Guinea and the adjacent islands, we ;make the following extracts : —Bird Skins—The number of these is nearly 400, and they include many new species, Some fine hornbills are conspicuous. The parrots are very numerous, and are of all sizes, from the large white cockatoo to a diminutive species (Nasiterna jousio), not 2in long, and the form of whose beak is that of a cockatoo, but in size the cockatoo's beak may be fitly compared to the nose of Gulliver’s Brobdignagian, and that of the minified, less than quarter-span long, parrot, to that of the same traveller’s Lilliputian. Pigeons are also well represented, and these include some very handsome birds, some of them with the most lovely plumage that the eye could desire to look on in the species. Indeed they are doves that would exceed the dream of the most sanguine ornithologists. This group includes specimens of the Didunculus strigirostris, from Samoa, one of the rarest known birds, examples of which have been sold for £3O each. There are also specimens of the wellknown mound-builders ( Megapodius ), and their eggs, together with the eggs of the Solomon Island cassowary. There are many specimens of kingfishers, swifts, starlings, rollers, honey-suckers, ground thrushes, &c., of rare and curious kinds. We are tempted here to repeat the quip which reference to the cassowary recalls, and which was written because some one affirmed that no rhymes could bo found for the words “ cassowary ” and “ Timbuctoo,” It is this “If I were a cassowary, On the plains of Timbuctoo, I would eat a missionary, Head, lego, and arras, and hymn-book too ” Of which, as regards the chances of a missionary being eaten, more anon, touching Mr Brown’s own experiences. Animals.—This class embodios about fifty bats, some large kinds of which have wings measuring s£t from tip to tip ; flying squir-

rela; some new rats ; a fine new kangaroo, somewhat smaller than the Australian wallaby ; and over twenty fine specimens of the Cuscus, an animal aided to the opossum. Shells.—There is of these a large and varied collection, so extensive that it is impossible to enumerate them in the space at our disposal. Insects—Here we have a magnificent collection of butterflies, including specimens of the genus the finest known, resplendent in emerald green and roseate hues ; also, numerous fine beetles, the latter mostly in spirits. There is also a small collection of lizards, snakes, diminutive bats, &c, in spirits. Cariosities—Among this class, the specimens of which are both numerous and varied, are large masks, which are worn at peculiar ceremonies, at which women and children are not allowed to attend ; fishing nets, beautifully made; models of canoes, paddles, weapons of various kinds, including long and light spears, ornamented with gaudycolored feathers, others with handles of human bone ; clubs, bows and arrows, obsidian daggers, &c. We note also specimens of native cloth, mats, baskets, bowls, pouches, slings with nets of “ smooth stones from the brook," Neck ornaments, curiously carved out of shell and tortoise shell, bracelets and other adornments. There are also Kava bowls, Kava roots, together with a large wooden shield, and curious carved stone images. Skulls, one of which belonged to a man roasted and eaten within a few yards of Mr Brown’s residence. This skull is unique, The man had been tomahawked, and the blow from the weapon made a clean, clear cut through the skull. One can imagine the feelings of a white missionary stranger—good food, not for a cassowary, but for a set of ingrained cannibals who were then feeding on one of their own race—being in such unenviable proximity, and who might at any moment realise an approach to Sydney Smith’s ideal of a cold roast missionary on the cannibal sideboard. This was Mr Brown’s possible position in future, but nothing daunted, he calmly went to the chief of the savages, and asked for the skull of the man after they had finished their feast. With natural politeness the chief consented, and the skull is now in the Museum with the clean cut of the tomahawk to bear witness to the truth of the tale. We must not omit to notice a series of photographs of the islanders, their dwellings, ceremonies, &c, taken by Mr Brown, including one of a well-known chief, known as King Tom, the same who massacred the crew of the Lavinia only two years ago. Mr Brown was the first European who ventured to visit him after this massacre, and, at the time, he was warned that he would probably not return if he persisted in going, but he went, and thanks to Providence and his own pluck is still unscathed. One of the photographs shows the first church built at his station on the Duke of York Islands.

Mr Brown principally lived on New Ireland, or on some small islands adjacent to New Guinea, known as the Duke of York Islands, a native of which he has brought to Auckland with him. New Britain, New Hanover, and several of the other islands near were also visited, and collections made on them. He has been in these localities slightly over two years, and he returns with a specimen of the natives and with a wealth of specimens at once creditable to his own fearlessness of character, faith in his primary work, and also to his great and indefatigable exertions as a naturalist and scientific collector, and his skill as a taxidermist. Those who visit the lecture room of the Museum and glance at them, even cursorily, will strongly testify to the justice of our conclusions.