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PYGMIES & PAPUANS THE STONE AGE TO-DAY IN DUTCH NEW GUINEA
PYGMIES & PAPUANS THE STONE AGE TO-DAY IN DUTCH NEW GUINEA
BY A. F. R. WOLLASTON AUTHOR OF “FROM RUWENZORI TO THE CONGO” WITH APPENDICES BY W. R. OGILVIE-GRANT, A. C. HADDON, F.R.S. AND SIDNEY H. RAY WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAPS NEW YORK STURGIS & WALTON COMPANY 1912 PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED LONDON AND BECCLES TO ALFRED RUSSEL WALLACE, O.M. THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED...
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PREFACE
PREFACE
The Committee who organised the late expedition to Dutch New Guinea, paid me the high compliment of inviting me to write an account of our doings in that country. The fact that it is, in a sense, the official account of the expedition has precluded me—greatly to the advantage of the reader—from offering my own views on the things that we saw and on things in general. The country that we visited was quite unknown to Europeans, and the native races with whom we came in contact were living in so pr
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MAPS
MAPS
A Language Map of Netherlands New Guinea Map of the District Visited by the Expedition...
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INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
The wonderful fauna of New Guinea, especially the marvellous forms of Bird- and Insect-life to be found there, have long attracted the attention of naturalists in all parts of the world. The exploration of this vast island during recent years has brought to light many extraordinary and hitherto unknown forms, more particularly new Birds of Paradise and Gardener Bower-Birds; but until recently the central portion was still entirely unexplored, though no part of the globe promised to yield such an
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CHAPTER I
CHAPTER I
The British Ornithologists’ Union—Members of the Expedition—Voyage to Java—Choice of Rivers—Prosperity of Java—Half-castes—Obsequious Javanese—The Rijst-tafel—Customs of the Dutch—Buitenzorg Garden—Garoet. In the autumn of 1858 a small party of naturalists, most of them members of the University of Cambridge and their friends and all of them interested in the study of ornithology, met in the rooms of the late Professor Alfred Newton at Magdalene College, Cambridge, and agreed to found a society
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CHAPTER II
CHAPTER II
Expedition leaves Java—The “Nias”—Escort—Macassar—Raja of Goa—Amboina—Corals and Fishes—Ambonese Christians—Dutch Clubs—Dobo. On December 21st we left Batavia, and on Christmas Day, 1909, we sailed from Soerabaja in the Government steamer Nias , Capt. Hondius van Herwerden. The Nias , a ship of about six hundred tons, formerly a gun-boat in the Netherlands Indies Marine, is now stripped of her two small guns and is used by the Government as a special service vessel. Her last commission before em
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CHAPTER III
CHAPTER III
New Guinea—Its Position and Extent—Territorial Divisions—Mountain Ranges—Numerous Rivers—The Papuans—The Discovery of New Guinea—Early Voyagers—Spanish and Dutch—Jan Carstensz—First Discovery of the Snow Mountains—William Dampier in the “Roebuck”—Captain Cook in the “Endeavour”—Naturalists and later Explorers. The island of New Guinea or Papua lies to the East of all the great islands of the Malay Archipelago and forms a barrier between them and the Pacific Ocean. To the South of it lies the Con
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CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER IV
Sail from the Aru Islands—Sight New Guinea—Distant Mountains—Signal Fires—Natives in Canoes—A British Flag—Natives on Board—Their Behaviour—Arrival at Mimika River—Reception at Wakatimi—Dancing and Weeping—Landing Stores—View of the Country—Snow Mountains—Shark-Fishing—Making the Camp—Death of W. Stalker. When we left the northernmost end of the Aru Islands behind us the wind rose and torrents of rain descended, and the Arafura Sea, which is almost everywhere more or less shoal water, treated us
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CHAPTER V
CHAPTER V
Arrival of our Ambonese—Coolie Considerations—Canoes of the Natives—Making Canoes—Preliminary Exploration of the Mimika—Variable Tides—Completing the Camp—A Plague of Flies—Also of Crickets—Making “Atap”—Trading with the Natives—Trade Goods. After all the stores and equipment of the expedition had been landed at Wakatimi, an operation which took six days and some ten or more journeys of the steam launch towing many boats to accomplish, the Nias returned to Dobo, and brought back from there on th
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CHAPTER VI
CHAPTER VI
Difficulties of Food—Coolies’ Rations—Choice of Provisions—Transporting Supplies up the Mimika—Description of the River—A Day’s Work—Monotonous Scenery—Crowned Pigeons—Birds of Paradise and Others—Snakes, Bees and other Creatures—Rapids and Clear Water—The Seasons—Wind—Rain—Thunderstorms—Halley’s Comet. One of the principal obstacles in the way of successful exploration in Dutch New Guinea is the lack of food in the country itself. It is true that in the low-lying swampy districts near the coast
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CHAPTER VII
CHAPTER VII
Exploration of the Kapare River—Obota—Native Geography—River Obstructions—Hornbills and Tree Ducks—Gifts of Stones—Importance of Steam Launch—Cultivation of Tobacco—Sago Swamps—Manufacture of Sago—Cooking of Sago—The Dutch Use of Convict Labour. Towards the end of January Capt. Rawling, who had gone up the Mimika River with the first party to Parimau, made an excursion to the N.W. of that place, and at a distance of about four miles he came to a river, which we afterwards learnt to know as the K
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CHAPTER VIII
CHAPTER VIII
Description of Wakatimi—The Papuan House—Coconut Palms—The Sugar Palm—Drunkenness of the Natives—Drunken Vagaries—Other Cultivation—The Native Language—No Interpreters—The Numerals—Difficulties of Understanding—Names of Places—Local Differences of Pronunciation. The native village of Wakatimi lay directly opposite to our base-camp on the W. bank of the Mimika, which was there about 150 yards broad. Beyond the margin of the river was a strip of grass intersected by muddy creeks, where the natives
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CHAPTER IX
CHAPTER IX
The Papuans of Wakatimi—Colour—Hair—Eyes—Nose—Tattooing—Height—Dress—Widows’ Bonnets—Growth of Children—Preponderance of Men—Number of Wives—Childhood—Swimming and other Games—Imitativeness of Children—The Search for Food—Women as Workers—Fishing Nets—Other Methods of Fishing—An Extract from Dampier. The Papuans of the Mimika district may be divided into two classes or tribes: those who live in the villages on the lower waters of the river and make periodical migrations to the sea; and those who
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CHAPTER X
CHAPTER X
Food of the Papuans—Cassowaries—The Native Dog—Question of Cannibalism—Village Headman—The Social System of the Papuans—The Family—Treatment of Women—Religion—Weather Superstitions—Ceremony to avert a Flood—The Pig—A Village Festival—Wailing at Deaths—Methods of Disposal of the Dead—No Reverence for the Remains—Purchasing Skulls. The search for food furnishes occasionally some very curious scenes. One of the most remarkable occurs when the river in flood brings down a tree-trunk in a suitable st
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CHAPTER XI
CHAPTER XI
Papuans’ Love of Music—Their Concerts—A Dancing House—Carving—Papuans as Artists—Cat’s Cradle—Village Squabbles—The Part of the Women—Wooden and Stone Clubs—Shell Knives and Stone Axes—Bows and Arrows—Papuan Marksmen—Spears—A most Primitive People—Disease—Prospects of their Civilisation. The most pleasing characteristic of the Papuans is their love of music. When a number of them are gathered together and when they have eaten well, or are for any other reason happy, they have a concert. Sometime
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CHAPTER XII
CHAPTER XII
The Camp at Parimau—A Plague of Beetles—First Discovery of the Tapiro Pygmies—Papuans as Carriers—We visit the Clearing of the Tapiro—Remarkable Clothing of Tapiro—Our Relations with the Natives—System of Payment—Their Confidence in Us—Occasional Thefts—A Customary Peace-offering—Papuans as Naturalists. While it was the business of some of us during the early months of the expedition to stop at the base-camp and despatch canoes laden with stores up the river, others remained at Parimau to establ
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CHAPTER XIII
CHAPTER XIII
Visit of Mr. Lorentz—Arrival of Steam Launch—A Sailor Drowned—Our Second Batch of Coolies—Health of the Gurkhas—Dayaks the best Coolies—Sickness—Arrival of Motor Boat—Camp under Water—Expedition moves to Parimau—Explorations beyond the Mimika—Leeches—Floods on the Tuaba River—Overflowing Rivers—The Wataikwa—Cutting a Track. A pleasant interlude in the monotony of the early part of the expedition occurred one day towards the end of March, when the natives of Wakatimi signalled in the usual way th
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CHAPTER XIV
CHAPTER XIV
The Camp at the Wataikwa River—Malay Coolies—“Amok”—A Double Murder—A View of the Snow Mountains—Felling Trees—Floods—Village washed Away—The Wettest Season—The Effects of Floods—Beri-beri—Arrival of C. Grant—Departure of W. Goodfellow. If I were to write a true and complete account of the expedition, I should fill many pages with repeated stories of rain and floods, sickness among the coolies and our consequent inaction; but that would be as wearisome to the reader as it was trying to our own p
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CHAPTER XV
CHAPTER XV
Pygmies visit Parimau—Description of Tapiro Pygmies—Colour—Hair—Clothing—Ornaments—Netted Bags—Flint Knives—Bone Daggers—Sleeping Mats—Fire Stick—Method of making Fire—Cultivation of Tobacco—Manner of Smoking—Bows and Arrows—Village of the Pygmies—Terraced Ground—Houses on Piles—Village Headman—Our Efforts to see the Women—Language and Voices—Their Intelligence—Counting—Their Geographical Distribution. The Pygmy people—or Tapiro as they are called by the Papuans—whom we saw in March, visited us
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CHAPTER XVI
CHAPTER XVI
Communication with Amboina and Merauke—Sail in the “Valk” to the Utakwa River—Removal of the Dutch Expedition—View of Mount Carstensz—Dugongs—Crowded Ship—Dayaks and Live Stock—Sea-Snakes—Excitable Convicts—The Island River—Its Great Size—Another Dutch Expedition—Their Achievements—Houses in the Trees—Large Village—Barn-like Houses—Naked People—Shooting Lime—Their Skill in Paddling—Through the Marianne Straits—An Extract from Carstensz—Merauke—Trade in Copra—Botanic Station—The Mission—The Ké Is
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CHAPTER XVII
CHAPTER XVII
Difficulty of Cross-country Travel—Expedition moves towards the Mountains—Arrival at the Iwaka River—Changing Scenery—The Impassable Iwaka—A Plucky Gurkha—Building a Bridge—We start into the Mountains—Fording Rivers—Flowers—Lack of Water on Hillside—Curious Vegetation—Our highest Point—A wide View—Rare Birds—Coal—Uninhabitable Country—Dreary Jungle—Rarely any Beauty—Remarkable Trees—Occasional Compensations. When our third and last batch of forty-eight coolies reached the Mimika towards the end
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CHAPTER XVIII
CHAPTER XVIII
Departure from Parimau—Parting Gifts—Mock Lamentation—Rawling explores Kamura River—Start for the Wania—Lose the Propeller—A Perilous Anchorage—Unpleasant Night—Leave the Motor Boat—Village of Nimé—Arrival of “Zwaan” with Dayaks—Their Departure—Waiting for the Ship—Taking Leave of the People of Wakatimi—Sail from New Guinea—Ké Islands—Banda—Hospitality of the Netherlands Government—Lieutenant Cramer—Sumbawa—Bali—Return to Singapore and England—One or Two Reflexions. After our return to Parimau i
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TABLE SHOWING THE NUMBER OF SPECIES COLLECTED AND THE FAMILIES TO WHICH THEY BELONG
TABLE SHOWING THE NUMBER OF SPECIES COLLECTED AND THE FAMILIES TO WHICH THEY BELONG
From the above table it will be seen that out of 235 species procured, 150 are included in eight of the Families; viz. Birds-of-Paradise 13; Honey-eaters 26; Cuckoo-Shrikes 11; Flycatchers 30; Cuckoos, 11; Kingfishers 11; Parrots, 22; Pigeons, 26....
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FAMILY CORVIDAÆ—CROWS.
FAMILY CORVIDAÆ—CROWS.
Though the true Crows are never brightly coloured birds, many are extremely handsome, but this epithet cannot be applied to the Bare-faced Crow ( Gymnocorax senex ) which is common on the Mimika River and distributed over New Guinea generally. The adult is brownish-black with a slight purplish or bluish gloss on the wings, but is generally in worn and shabby plumage. Even when freshly moulted it is rather a disreputable looking bird, its naked pink face, pale watery blue eyes, slate-coloured bil
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FAMILY PARADISEIDÆ—BIRDS-OF-PARADISE AND BOWER-BIRDS.
FAMILY PARADISEIDÆ—BIRDS-OF-PARADISE AND BOWER-BIRDS.
Closely allied to the well-known Greater Bird-of-Paradise ( Paradisea apoda ) from the Aru Islands is the New Guinea form P. novæ-guineæ , the males being distinguished by their smaller size and by having the long ornamental side-plumes of a much richer orange-yellow. Though the call of this bird was frequently heard on the upper parts of the Mimika, it was rarely seen; but on the Wataikwa quite a number were procured in all stages of plumage. The species was, however, nowhere plentiful and conf
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FAMILY EULABETIDÆ—TREE-STARLINGS.
FAMILY EULABETIDÆ—TREE-STARLINGS.
Among the smaller Glossy Starlings we must specially mention a new species, Calornis mystacea , discovered by the Expedition. It has the plumage purplish-bronze and is especially remarkable in having long semi-erect plumes on the forehead as well as long neck-hackles. Three specimens were obtained flying in company with large flocks of C. metallica , a rather widely distributed species, which ranges to North Australia, the Moluccas and the Solomon Islands. The Grackles or Talking Starlings are r
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FAMILY DICRURIDÆ—DRONGOS.
FAMILY DICRURIDÆ—DRONGOS.
The Drongos, small Crow-like Flycatchers with pugnacious habits, are represented in the collection by two species— Chibia carbonaria and Chælorhynchus papuensis ....
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FAMILY ORIOLIDÆ—ORIOLES.
FAMILY ORIOLIDÆ—ORIOLES.
The Orioles are represented by one species only, Mimeta striata , belonging to the dull coloured brown-backed group with heavily streaked under-parts and the sexes alike in plumage. It was commonest in the mangrove swamps near the coast....
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FAMILY PLOCEIDÆ—WEAVER-BIRDS.
FAMILY PLOCEIDÆ—WEAVER-BIRDS.
This widely distributed group of Weaver-Finches is not very numerous in New Guinea and the only representative met with was a small species, Munia tristissima , which was common in the clearing round the camp at Wakatimi....
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FAMILY MOTACILLIDÆ—WAGTAILS.
FAMILY MOTACILLIDÆ—WAGTAILS.
The Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla melanope ) and the Blue-headed Wagtail ( M. flava ) were both met with on the Mimika and other rivers. It is interesting to note that both species are included in the British List, the former being a regular breeding-species in our islands. The birds wintering in far-off New Guinea, no doubt formed part of the eastern colonies of these species which nest in Siberia and visit the Indo-Malayan Islands in winter....
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FAMILY MELIPHAGIDÆ—HONEY-EATERS.
FAMILY MELIPHAGIDÆ—HONEY-EATERS.
The Honey-eaters are very numerously represented in South-western New Guinea and no fewer than twenty-seven species were met with by our Expedition. The family is divided in two sections, the first including the comparatively brightly coloured genus Myzomela the members of which resemble true Sun-birds ( Nectariniidæ ) in general appearance. Seven species were met with; the most brilliantly coloured being M. cruentata which has the plumage of the body scarlet and the wings washed with the same c
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FAMILY NECTARINIIDÆ—SUN-BIRDS.
FAMILY NECTARINIIDÆ—SUN-BIRDS.
The Sun-birds are represented by two species Cinnyris aspasiæ and C. frenata . The male of the former is deep black with a dark metallic green cap, shoulders and lower back, and purple throat, while the female is olive above, and dull yellow below, with a grey head and throat. The latter species is dull yellow above, brilliant yellow below, with a purple throat in the male, which is absent in the female. Mr. Goodfellow tells us that among the riot of parasitic plants which covered the trees a fe
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FAMILY DICÆIDÆ—FLOWER-PECKERS.
FAMILY DICÆIDÆ—FLOWER-PECKERS.
Dicæum diversum and Melanocharis chloroptera , a dull-looking greenish-grey species described by Count Salvadori, were the only Flower-peckers met with. They are small Tit-like birds allied to the Sun-birds, but with a short bill serrated along the edges of the mandibles. Both species were very common everywhere except on the coast and were extremely tame....
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FAMILY ZOSTEROPIDÆ—WHITE-EYES.
FAMILY ZOSTEROPIDÆ—WHITE-EYES.
Zosterops chrysolæma , a beautiful little species with the upper-parts golden-olive, the throat and under tail-coverts yellow, and the breast and belly pure white, was the only species met with of this most numerous and widely distributed group. The popular name White-eye is derived from the ring of tiny white plumes which encircles the eye in all. They resemble Titmice both in their mode of life and notes. The only pair observed were met with on the Iwaka River, and the species is probably more
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FAMILY LANIIDÆ—SHRIKES.
FAMILY LANIIDÆ—SHRIKES.
The large Shrike-like birds with powerful hooked bills known as the Piping-Crows are represented by two members of the genus Cracticus ; C. cassicus , a black and white species, and C. quoyi , with uniform black plumage. Both are much like their well-known Australian representatives, but smaller. C. cassicus was much the commoner bird and was generally observed feeding on berries and fruits in high trees, its actions being very Crow-like. The Pachycephaline group of birds allied to the true Shri
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FAMILY PRIONOPIDÆ—WOOD-SHRIKES.
FAMILY PRIONOPIDÆ—WOOD-SHRIKES.
This group is represented by Rhectes cristatus and R. ferrugineus in which both sexes are rufous and by R. nigripectus with the sexes different, the male being partly black and partly chestnut. Pinarolestes megarhynchus , an allied species with the sexes alike, is brown above and dull rufous below. Some of these Wood-Shrikes lay peculiar looking eggs of a long oval shape and large for the size of the bird. The ground-colour is purplish- or pinkish-grey with scattered spots or small blotches of d
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FAMILY ARTAMIDÆ—SWALLOW-SHRIKES.
FAMILY ARTAMIDÆ—SWALLOW-SHRIKES.
These birds which closely resemble Swallows in their mode of life are represented by one species only, Artamus leucopygialis , a grey bird with the breast and rump white. It was common along the coast, and was generally seen either perched on some dead tree or skimming swiftly over the sands....
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FAMILY TIMELIIDÆ—BABBLERS.
FAMILY TIMELIIDÆ—BABBLERS.
We now come to the Timeline group of birds: of these we may mention two striking-looking species of Eupetes . One, E. nigricrissus , with the plumage slate-blue and the throat white, edged with black, was met with on the Mimika; the other, E. pulcher , was only seen further east on the Wataikwa River. It is very similar to the above, but has the crown and back rich-chestnut, instead of slate. Both species are ground-birds and usually found in pairs; they are rather difficult to procure as, when
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FAMILY CAMPOPHAGIDÆ—CUCKOO-SHRIKES.
FAMILY CAMPOPHAGIDÆ—CUCKOO-SHRIKES.
The Cuckoo-Shrikes are well represented in the collection, no fewer than eleven species having been obtained. They belong to four genera and vary much in colour: the large Graucalus cæruleogrisea has the entire plumage bluish-grey, except the axillaries and under wing-coverts which are pale cinnamon and the male has a black patch in front of eye. Another genus Edoliisoma is represented by E. melas of which the male is entirely black, and the female chestnut and brown. A very attractive and brill
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FAMILY MUSCICAPIDÆ—FLYCATCHERS.
FAMILY MUSCICAPIDÆ—FLYCATCHERS.
Flycatchers are very numerously represented and among them two new forms were discovered, a Fan tailed Flycatcher ( Rhipidura streptophora ) and a broad-billed species Myiagra mimikæ . Among the more notable forms we may mention Monarcha aruensis , a brilliant yellow and black species; Todopsis bonapartei , the male being vivid ultramarine-blue, purple and black, while the female differs in having the back and sides dark chestnut and the breast mostly white; lastly Peltops blainvillei , a black
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FAMILY HIRUNDINIDÆ—SWALLOWS.
FAMILY HIRUNDINIDÆ—SWALLOWS.
Two species of Swallows were met with Hirundo javanica and H. gutturalis ....
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FAMILY PITTIDÆ—PITTAS OR ANT-THRUSHES.
FAMILY PITTIDÆ—PITTAS OR ANT-THRUSHES.
Of the Ant-Thrushes or Pittas two species were met with, both brilliantly plumaged birds. Pitta mackloti which was far the commoner of the two, has a dark crown, reddish-chestnut nape, and greenish-blue upper-parts; the throat is black, the chest shining greyish-blue and the breast and belly scarlet, divided from the chest by a wide black band. The other species, Pitta novæ-guineæ , which was much less frequently met with, has the head and neck black and the rest of the plumage dark green washed
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FAMILY CUCULIDÆ—CUCKOOS.
FAMILY CUCULIDÆ—CUCKOOS.
Among the Cuckoos, the largest is a species of “Crow-pheasant” or “Lark-heeled” Cuckoo, Centropus menebiki , a bird of black plumage glossed with dark green, with a large whitish-horn bill and heavy slate-coloured legs and toes. An allied, but smaller and rarer species, C. bernsteini , was met with near the mouth of the Mimika. It is very similar in plumage to the above, but is easily distinguished by its smaller size, black bill and long, nearly straight hind-claw. Both are almost entirely grou
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FAMILY CYPSELIDÆ—SWIFTS.
FAMILY CYPSELIDÆ—SWIFTS.
The Swifts, though of especial interest, are not very numerously represented in the collection. The commonest species was that known as the Esculent Swiftlet ( Collocalia fuciphaga ) which produces the best kind of edible nest. A very interesting discovery was the existence in New Guinea of the large fork-tailed species Collocalia whiteheadi originally described by myself from the highlands of Luzon, Philippine Islands. A remarkable Spine-tailed Swift ( Chætura novæ-guineæ ) is new to the Nation
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FAMILIES CAPRIMULGIDÆ AND PODARGIDÆ—NIGHTJARS AND FROG-MOUTHS.
FAMILIES CAPRIMULGIDÆ AND PODARGIDÆ—NIGHTJARS AND FROG-MOUTHS.
The common Nightjar of the country found along the shingly banks of the rivers was Caprimulgus macrurus , a widely distributed species. After the ground had been cleared for the base camp at Wakatimi it was visited every evening by a number of Nightjars, which no doubt found such a large open space an admirable hunting-ground and the members of the Expedition derived great pleasure from watching their graceful evolutions. Another very rare Nightjar was Lyncornis papuensis , not previously includ
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FAMILY BUCEROTIDÆ—HORNBILLS.
FAMILY BUCEROTIDÆ—HORNBILLS.
The only representative of the Bucerotidæ is the Wreathed Hornbill ( Rhytidoceros plicatus ) a large bird with a casque formed of overlapping plates on the base of the upper mandible. The male is black with the head and neck chestnut and the tail white, while the female differs in having the head and neck black. It was plentiful everywhere and its flesh was reported to be good eating. It frequented the fruit-bearing trees in company with various species of Pigeons and Mr. Claude Grant on one or
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FAMILY MEROPIDÆ—BEE-EATERS.
FAMILY MEROPIDÆ—BEE-EATERS.
A species of Bee-eater, Merops ornata , was common about the base camp. It ranges to Australia, the Moluccas and westwards to the Lesser Sunda group. Mr. Goodfellow says it swarmed in some places after the month of April; though previous to that date none had been met with....
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FAMILY CORACIIDÆ—ROLLERS.
FAMILY CORACIIDÆ—ROLLERS.
Two species of Rollers inhabit the Mimika district Eurystomus crassirostris , a greenish-blue species with brilliant ultramarine throat, quills and tail-feathers and vermilion bill and feet; and a smaller species E. australis with brownish-green upper-parts, verditer-blue breast and bluish-green bases to the tail-feathers. Both Bee-eaters and Rollers were common in flocks along the banks of the Mimika during April and May when preying on the canary-coloured May-fly, which swarmed on the waters a
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FAMILY ALCEDINIDÆ—KINGFISHERS.
FAMILY ALCEDINIDÆ—KINGFISHERS.
Kingfishers were well represented in the Mimika district and Mr. Goodfellow says that the Sacred Kingfisher ( Halcyon sanctus ) was undoubtedly the most conspicuous bird about the base camp, where its harsh cry could be heard all through the hot hours of the day. The huts and storehouses were infested by myriads of black crickets, which take the place of the cockroaches found in other countries and commit fearful havoc among stores and personal possessions. The constant packing up of goods to se
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FAMILIES PSITTACIDÆ AND LORIIDÆ—PARROTS AND LORIES.
FAMILIES PSITTACIDÆ AND LORIIDÆ—PARROTS AND LORIES.
Another very numerously represented group is the Parrots of which twenty-two different species were procured, varying in size from the Great Black Cockatoo ( Microglossus aterrimus ), which is about the size of a Raven and has an enormously powerful bill, to the tiny Pygmy Parrot ( Nasiterna keiensis ) which is about the size of a Golden-crested Wren. This latter species has recently been described by Mr. Walter Rothschild as new, under the name of Nasiterna viridipectus from specimens obtained
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FAMILIES BUBONIDÆ AND STRIGIDÆ—WOOD-OWLS AND BARN-OWLS.
FAMILIES BUBONIDÆ AND STRIGIDÆ—WOOD-OWLS AND BARN-OWLS.
The only Owl of which examples were obtained was a small species of Brown Hawk-Owl ( Ninox theomaca ), with the upper-parts, back, wings and tail uniform dark brown, and the under-parts deep chestnut. It was a strictly nocturnal species, and confined to the jungle along the base of the mountains, where its weird double call “yon-yon” might constantly be heard after dark. A form of the Barn-Owl ( Strix novæ-hollandiæ ), which occurs in the district, was not obtained by the Expedition....
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FAMILY FALCONIDÆ—EAGLES AND HAWKS.
FAMILY FALCONIDÆ—EAGLES AND HAWKS.
New Guinea possesses a very remarkable Harpy-Eagle ( Harpyopsis novæ-guineæ ) allied to the Harpy Eagles of America and to the Great Monkey-eating Eagle ( Pithecophaga jefferyi ) which inhabits the forests of the Philippine Islands. The New Guinea bird is like a large Goshawk, having a long tail and comparatively short and rounded wings; the feet are armed with very powerful claws, but in strength and power it is far inferior to its great Philippine ally or to the still more powerful species inh
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FAMILY PHALACROCORACIDÆ—CORMORANTS.
FAMILY PHALACROCORACIDÆ—CORMORANTS.
The small black-backed white-breasted species Phalacrocorax melanoleucus is the only representative of this group. Several specimens were shot on the upper waters of the Mimika, at Parimau and at the base camp at Wakatimi....
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FAMILY ANATIDÆ—DUCKS.
FAMILY ANATIDÆ—DUCKS.
The handsome white-necked Sheld-duck ( Tadorna radjah ) differs from the Australian form in being much darker on the back, the plumage being practically black with indistinct mottlings of dull rufous on the mantle. This dark form, found also in the Moluccas, was common about the mouth of the Mimika River. The more rufous-backed Australian form has been named T. rufitergum by Dr. Hartert. The only other species of duck brought home was an immature male Garganey ( Querquedula discors ) shot on the
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FAMILY IBIDIDÆ—IBISES.
FAMILY IBIDIDÆ—IBISES.
The Eastern form of the Sacred Ibis ( Ibis stictipennis ) was met with at the mouth of the Mimika. It is easily distinguished from its western ally by having the innermost secondaries mottled with black and white....
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FAMILY ARDEIDÆ—HERONS.
FAMILY ARDEIDÆ—HERONS.
Several different species of Herons were procured including the Night Heron ( Nycticorax caledonica ); the Yellow-necked Heron ( Dupetor flavicollis ); the White Heron ( Herodias timoriensis ); and a Tiger-Bittern ( Tigrisoma heliosylus ). The last named is a very fine bird with the general colour above black boldly barred with rufous and buff; the under-parts buff barred on the neck and chest with black. The feathers on the neck and chest are very long and broad and no doubt form a most imposin
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FAMILIES ŒDICNEMIDÆ, CHARADRIIDÆ AND LARIDÆ—STONE-PLOVERS, PLOVERS, AND GULLS.
FAMILIES ŒDICNEMIDÆ, CHARADRIIDÆ AND LARIDÆ—STONE-PLOVERS, PLOVERS, AND GULLS.
A number of small wading birds were also procured near the mouth of the river, and two species of Terns, but as all belong to well-known, widely distributed species, there is no special interest attaching to them. I may however mention that the great Australian Curlew ( Numenius cyanopus ), and the large Australian Thicknee ( Esacus magnirostris ) were among the species found at the mouth of the Mimika....
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FAMILY RALLIDÆ—RAILS.
FAMILY RALLIDÆ—RAILS.
The only Rail met with was an example of Rallina tricolor which has the head, neck and chest bright chestnut, and the rest of the plumage dark brown with white bars on the wing-feathers. It is also met with in some of the Papuan Islands and in North-eastern Australia....
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FAMILY COLUMBIDÆ—PIGEONS.
FAMILY COLUMBIDÆ—PIGEONS.
Pigeons were very numerously represented, no fewer than twenty-six different species being obtained by the Expedition. Some of the smaller forms are among the most beautifully coloured birds met with in New Guinea. The Crowned Pigeons (Goura) are represented by G. sclateri which was fairly common near the base camp and met with in all places visited by the Expedition. In spite of the numbers shot for food during the whole time the Expedition remained in the country, the supply did not appear to
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FAMILY MEGAPODIIDÆ—MEGAPODES OR MOUND-BUILDERS.
FAMILY MEGAPODIIDÆ—MEGAPODES OR MOUND-BUILDERS.
The Game-birds are represented by three species of Mound-builders, two being Brush-Turkeys and the other a true Megapode ( Megapodius freycineti ). The fact that two closely allied species of Brush-Turkeys are found in the same district is of considerable interest. The common species of the country Talegallus fuscirostris has a very wide coastal range, being also found in S.E. New Guinea and extending along the north coast to the middle of Geelvinck Bay. The other species T. cuvieri is of wester
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FAMILY CASUARIIDÆ—CASSOWARIES.
FAMILY CASUARIIDÆ—CASSOWARIES.
The discovery made by Mr. Walter Goodfellow that two distinct forms of two-wattled Cassowary occur side by side on the Mimika River has greatly modified Mr. Rothschild’s views on the classification of the genus, and he now finds that the ten forms possessing two wattles, when placed side by side fall naturally into two groups, one consisting of the Common Cassowary ( Casuarius casuarius ), divisible into six sub-species or races, and the other of C. bicarunculatus which may be divided into four
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LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL PAPERS RELATING TO THE BIRDS OF NEW GUINEA, INCLUDING THE KEI AND ARU ISLANDS.
LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL PAPERS RELATING TO THE BIRDS OF NEW GUINEA, INCLUDING THE KEI AND ARU ISLANDS.
Gould. Birds of New Guinea and the adjacent Papuan Islands. (Completed by R. B. Sharpe) (1875-88). Salvadori. Ornitologia della Papuasia e delle Molluche. Vols. I-III. (1880-82). Aggiunte, pts. I.-III. (1889-91). Ramsay. Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. VIII. pp. 15-29 (1883). Sharpe. Journ. Linn. Soc. Zool. XVII. pp. 405-408 (1884). Meyer. Zeit. Ges. Orn 1. pp. 269-296, pls. XIV.-XVIII. (1884). Finsch and Meyer. Zeit. ges. Orn. II. pp. 369-391, pls. XV.-XXII. (1885). Guillemard. P.Z.S. 1885, pp. 615-665
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THE PYGMY QUESTION
THE PYGMY QUESTION
By Dr. A. C. HADDON, F.R.S. Pygmies, as their name implies, are very short men, and the first question to decide is whether this short stature is normal or merely a dwarfing due to unfavourable environment. Although stature cannot be taken as a trustworthy criterion of race, since it is very variable within certain limits among most races, there are certain peoples who may be described as normally tall, medium, or short. The average human stature appears to be about 1·675 m. (5 ft. 6 ins.). Thos
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SHORT BIBLIOGRAPHY.
SHORT BIBLIOGRAPHY.
This is not the place to attempt to give a record of the very voluminous bibliography of the Negritos, and most of the works here recorded are those from which the foregoing facts have been collected. Books referred to in the text are, with one or two exceptions, not here repeated. The General Question. Danielli, G., “Studi di Antropogeografia generale.” Memorie Geografiche , N. 18. Vol. VI. 1912. Flower, W. H. The Pygmy Races of Men. Royal Inst. Lecture, 1888, reprinted in Essays on Museums , 1
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I. INTRODUCTION
I. INTRODUCTION
In considering the languages of Netherlands New Guinea it is convenient to divide the territory into six geographical divisions. These are:— 1. The North-western Coast and Islands (Waigiu, Salawati, and Misol). 2. The Western shore of Geelvink Bay and the islands adjacent (Mefor, Biak, and Jobi). 3. The Peninsula of Kumava (Orange Nassau) with the islands between Ceram and the Ké group. 4. The Southern and Eastern Shores of Geelvink Bay. 5. The North Coast from Kurudu Islands to Humboldt Bay. 6.
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II. CLASSIFICATION OF THE LANGUAGES.
II. CLASSIFICATION OF THE LANGUAGES.
Of the three languages in the northern part of Eastern Netherlands New Guinea that of the Jotafa of Humboldt Bay has been ably discussed by Dr. Kern, 32 who decides that in phonology, construction, numeration and word store it presents many points of agreement with the Mefoor or Nufōr of the North-west. But it undoubtedly also contains many words which are of non-Indonesian origin. The Sentani and Pawi languages seem to have very few or no words similar to the Indonesian, and may probably be fou
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III. COMPARATIVE NOTES ON THE ANGADI-MIMIKA GROUP OF LANGUAGES.
III. COMPARATIVE NOTES ON THE ANGADI-MIMIKA GROUP OF LANGUAGES.
This group consists of the Angadi, Nagramadu, Goreda, Utanata, Lakahia, Mimika and Kupera Pukwa dialects, and perhaps also Kiruru. 1. Sound changes. 36 A comparison of vocabularies shows a certain amount of sound change between the dialects. Thus Angadi m becomes b in Utanata and Mimika and vice versa . 37 The Angadi m is represented sometimes by mb in Mimika, but is retained in Lakahia and Kiruru. Utanata examples are not found. Angadi in some words loses k or g which appears in Mimika and Laka
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IV. MALAYAN INFLUENCE ON THE SOUTH COAST OF NETHERLANDS NEW GUINEA.
IV. MALAYAN INFLUENCE ON THE SOUTH COAST OF NETHERLANDS NEW GUINEA.
In a discussion of the languages of the south-eastern shores of Netherlands New Guinea, the extent of Malay influence in that region must be taken into account. Mr. William Churchill has lately put forward a theory that the Polynesian people entered the Pacific not only by coasting along the northern shores of New Guinea to the Solomon Group, but also by a passage through Torres Straits, and thence along the south-eastern coast of British New Guinea to the New Hebrides. 40 On tracing the languag
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V. A COMPARATIVE VOCABULARY OF LANGUAGES IN THE NORTH EAST AND SOUTH EAST OF NETHERLANDS NEW GUINEA AND OF BRITISH NEW GUINEA WEST OF THE FLY RIVER.
V. A COMPARATIVE VOCABULARY OF LANGUAGES IN THE NORTH EAST AND SOUTH EAST OF NETHERLANDS NEW GUINEA AND OF BRITISH NEW GUINEA WEST OF THE FLY RIVER.
The following vocabulary is arranged strictly in Geographical order. The North Eastern Languages follow from East to West, from Seka to Manikion, and the South Eastern from Onin to the Boundary and thence along the South Coast of British Territory to the Western or Right Bank of the Fly River. The following authorities have been quoted:— 45 1. Seka. P. E. Moolenburg. Tijd. v. Indische Taal xlvii. 1904. 2. Jotafa [and Sentani in ( )]. G. L. Bink in ibid. xlv. 1902. 3. Sentani. P. E. Moolenburg. B
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COMPARATIVE VOCABULARY, NUMERALS.
COMPARATIVE VOCABULARY, NUMERALS.
PART OF DUTCH NEW GUINEA drawn by Captain. C. G. Rawling, C.I.E. and M r . E. Marshall, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. to illustrate the explorations of THE BRITISH EXPEDITION 1909-11. —Note— This map is based on a plane table survey, adjusted to points fixed by theodolite angles, and astronomical observations for latitude and azimuth. Heights of peaks are from theodolite vertical angles. THE END PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, LONDON AND BECCLES....
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