six feet high and twelve feet across, in the middle of
which they bury their eggs. The natives can tell by the
condition of these mounds whether they contain eggs or
n o t; and they rob them whenever they can, as the brick-red
eggs (as large as those of a swan) are considered a great
delicacy. A number of birds are said to join in making
these mounds and lay their eggs together, so that sometimes
forty or fifty may be found. The mounds are to be
met with here and there in dense thickets, and are great
puzzles to strangers, who cannot understand who can
possibly have heaped together cartloads of rubbish in such
out-of-the-way places; and when they inquire of the
natives they are but little wiser, for it almost always
appears to them the wildest romance to be told that it is
all done by birds. The species found in Lombock is about
the size of a small hen, and entirely of dark olive and
brown tints. It is a miscellaneous feeder, devouring fallen
fruits, earth-worms, snails, and centipedes, but the flesh is
white and well-flavoured when properly cooked.
The large green pigeons were still better eating, and were
much more plentiful. These fine birds, exceeding our
largest tame pigeons in size, abounded on the palm-trees,
which now bore huge bunches of fruits—mere hard globular
nuts, about an inch in diameter, and covered with a dry
green skin and a very small portion of pulp. Looking at
the pigeon’s bill and head, it would seem impossible that it
could swallow such large masses, or that it could obtain
any nourishment from them; yet I often shot these birds
with several palm-fruits in the crop, which generally burst
when they fell to the ground. I obtained here eight
species of Kingfishers, among which was a very beautiful
new one, named by Mr. G-ould, Halcyon fulgidus. It was
found always in thickets, away from water, and seemed to
feed on snails and insects picked up from the ground after
the manner of the great Laughing Jackass of Australia.
The beautiful little violet and orange species (Ceyx rufi-
dorsa) is found in similar situations, and darts rapidly
along like a flame of fire. Here also I first met with the
pretty Australian Bee-eater (Merops ornatus). This elegant
little bird sits on twigs in open places, gazing eagerly
around, and darting off at intervals to seize some insect
which it sees flying near; returning afterwards to the
same twig to swallow it. Its long, sharp, curved bill, the
two long narrow feathers in its tail, its beautiful green
plumage varied with rich brown and black and vivid blue
on the throat, render it one of the most graceful and
interesting objects a naturalist can see for the first time.
Of all the birds of Lombock,. however, I sought most
after the beautiful ground thrushes (Pitta concinna), and
always thought myself lucky if I obtained one. They were
found only in the dry plains densely covered with thickets,
and carpeted at this season with dead leaves. They were