Papuan Birds.

Valuable Collection For The London Zoo.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Pt. Moresby, Feb. 20.

MR. F. SHAW MAYER, a well-known ornithologist who has paid several previous visits to Papua, the Man dated Territory, and Dutch New Guinea, left by the “Swartenhondt” on February 3, with a large and valuable collection of Papuan birds for the London Zoo.

A fawn, blue-eyed Raven was perhaps the most noticeable; but among the Birds of Paradise the Princess Stephanie and one known as the Lesser Superb were the most remarkable. Their brilliant tur quoise blue and bright green markings contrasted with the bright orange plum mage of the better-known Raggiana.

Mr. Mayer hoped during his visit to secure a number of the crested pigeon commonly known as th,e Goura, but his time was limited. The Goura vary as to size and head crest in different parts of the mainland, those to the north having heavier white markings on their crest's than those to the north-west, in Dutch, New Guinea. To the south of Papua, these flecks seem absent.

Mr. Mayer hopes to reach England via Singapore without loss to his collection.

The difficulty of bringing these beautiful birds down from high altitudes to the coast, and later by small schooner to Port?

Moresby without mishap required Mr.

Mayer’s constant and undivided attention.

They all left in good condition, in spite of the heat and their unaccustomed sur roundings.