Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ing a row of blue stripes around the margin of the lower wings. This good beginning was,
however, rather deceptive, and I soon found that insects, and especially butterflies, were
somewhat scarce, and birds in far less variety than I had anticipated. Several of the fine
Moluccan species were however obtained. The handsome red lory with green wings and a
yellow spot in the back (Lorius garrulus), was not uncommon. When the Jambu, or rose
apple (Eugenia sp.), was in flower in the village, flocks of the little lorikeet (Charmosyna
placentis), already met with in Gilolo, came to feed upon the nectar, and I obtained as many
specimens as I desired. Another beautiful bird of the parrot tribe was the Geoffroyus cyan-
icollis, a green parrot with a red bill and head, which colour shaded on the crown into azure
blue, and thence into verditer blue and the green of the back. Two large and handsome fruit
pigeons, with metallic green, ashy, and rufous plumage, were not uncommon; and I was re-
warded by finding a splendid deep blue roller (Eurystomus azureus), a lovely golden-capped
sunbird (Nectarinea auriceps), and a fine racquet-tailed kingfisher (Tanysiptera isis), all of
which were entirely new to ornithologists. Of insects I obtained a considerable number of
interesting beetles, including many fine longicorns, among which was the largest and hand-
somest species of the genus Glenea yet discovered. Among butterflies the beautiful little
Danis sebæ was abundant, making the forests gay with its delicate wings of white and the
richest metallic blue; while showy Papilios, and pretty Pieridæ, and dark, rich Euplæas,
many of them new, furnished a constant source of interest and pleasing occupation.
