Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
full seventeen inches long to the tips of the tail-feathers; the bill is coral red, the under-sur-
face pure white, the back and wings deep purple, while the shoulders, head and nape, and
some spots on the upper part of the back and wings, are pure azure blue. The tail is white,
with the feathers narrowly blue-edged, but the narrow part of the long feathers is rich blue.
This was an entirely new species, and has been well named after an ocean goddess, by Mr.
R. G. Gray. *
On Christmas eve I returned to Amboyna, where I stayed about ten days with my kind
friend Dr. Mohnike. Considering that I had been away only twenty days, and that on five or
six of those I was prevented doing anything by wet weather and slight attacks of fever, I had
made a very nice collection of insects, comprising a much larger proportion of large and
brilliant species than I had ever before obtained in so short a time. Of the beautiful metallic
Buprestidæ I had about a dozen handsome species, yet in the doctor's collection I observed
four or five more very fine ones, so that Amboyna is unusually rich in this elegant group.
During my stay here I had a good opportunity of seeing how Europeans live in the Dutch
colonies, where they have adopted customs far more in accordance with the climate than we
have done in our tropical possessions. Almost all business is transacted in the morning
between the hours of seven and twelve, the afternoon being given up to repose, and the
evening to visiting. When in the house during the heat of the day, and even at dinner, they
use a loose cotton dress, only putting on a suit of thin European-made clothes, for out of
doors and evening wear. They often walk about after sunset bareheaded, reserving the black
hat for visits of ceremony. Life is thus made far more agreeable, and the fatigue and discom-
fort incident to the climate greatly diminished. Christmas day is not made much of, but on
New Year's day official and complimentary visits are paid, and about sunset we went to the
Governor's, where a large party of ladies and gentlemen were assembled. Tea and coffee
were handed round, as is almost universal during a visit, as well as cigars, for on no occa-
sion is smoking prohibited in Dutch colonies, cigars being generally lighted before the cloth
is withdrawn at dinner, even though half the company are ladies. I here saw for the first time
the rare black lory from New Guinea, Chalcopsitta atra. The plumage is rather glossy, and
slightly tinged with yellowish and purple, the bill and feet being entirely black.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search