THE BLUE BIRD

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 28, 1 February 1919, Page 10

THE BLUE BIRD

A SEARCH IN PAPUA

GLIMPSES OF NATIVE LIFE.

. Mr. 'J. E. Ward, an Australian' artist and bird collector, gave to the Sydney Sun some entertaining stories about the Papuans, whose acquaintance he first made four years ago. In 1914 he went to New Guinea in the expectation of seeking a few living specimens of the Bird of Paradise, which has its home there. His mission proved a failure. There was plenty -of dissatisfaction but no birds.

The season to visit Papua is between May and November, co next year Mr. Ward will set out ag«ain. Instead of the Government .police he took, this time, a. young fellow who understood the natives, and he penetrated forty miles into the mountains, returning with eleven varieties of the beautiful Bird of Paradise. But the greatly coveted "blue" bird was not among them. The habitat of the "blue" bird is—with, the .cannibals on the moontain tops. Like the predatory barons of old these hilltribes, when they want anything, make raids on the smaller villages of the foothills. But they are not hostile to the white man, provided the latter deals fairly, and respects their women-folk.

Trading is a matter of exchange. There are no more wonderful birdcatchers in the world than these Papuan natives, and to persuade them to use their talents in his behalf Mr.. Ward carried a varied assortment of goods, comprising beads, ,[3113008, mirrors, paints, pearl shell, knives, tomahawks, tobacco, and salt. Among the womenfolk especially nothing was more coveted than a spoonfnl of gait. , BIRDS OF GREAT PBICE. It was on his third visit to Papua that Mr. Ward made his greatest success. Among his captures—valued at about £1000—were eleven of the coveted blue Birds of Paradise. As far as he knows, only two blue birds had been caught'prior to this. Both were shipped to England; and one (the female)~ died on the way. The survivor was bought by the London Zoological Gardens for £150. The plume alone of one of these birds is worth £25.

Papua has other birds of lesser commercial value, though scarcely less beautiful. " Pigeons of many delicate hue 3 and colours and gorgeously brilliant parrots are plentiful. Bower birds with their artistic and wonderful play-grounds are also common. There is; no bird so elusive that the natives are not clever enough to snare. 'When not engaged in fighting, the hill tribes carry on a. big trade with the coastal natives in feathers.

The Beau Brummels of the clans make a fine display of feathery head-dresses on the occasion of ceremonial' feasts and dances. The plumes in these ornaments are' magnificent; it is not unusual for a single head-piece to contain £150 worth of feathers.