All The More Extraordinary And
Magnificent Species Are, However, Entirely Confined To The Papuan
Region.
Although I devoted so much time to a search after these wonderful
birds, I only succeeded myself in obtaining five species during a
residence of many months in the Aru Islands, New Guinea, and
Waigiou.
Mr. Allen's voyage to Mysol did not procure a single
additional species, but we both heard of a place called Sorong,
on the mainland of New Guinea, near Salwatty, where we were told
that all the kinds we desired could be obtained. We therefore
determined that he should visit this place, and endeavour to
penetrate into the interior among the natives, who actually shoot
and skin the Birds of Paradise. He went in the small prau I had
fitted up at Goram, and through the kind assistance of the Dutch
Resident at Ternate, a lieutenant and two soldiers were sent by
the Sultan of Tidore to accompany and protect him, and to assist
him in getting men and in visiting the interior.
Notwithstanding these precautions, Mr. Allen met with
difficulties in this voyage which we had neither of us
encountered before. To understand these, it is necessary to
consider that the Birds of Paradise are an article of commerce,
and are the monopoly of the chiefs of the coast villages, who
obtain them at a low rate from the mountaineers, and sell them to
the Bugis traders. A portion is also paid every year as tribute
to the Sultan of Tidore.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 376 of 412
Words from 101377 to 101627
of 111511
