ze of crows, the bodies
being of a rich coffee brown. Their long gold and orange feathers,
which form their most conspicuous ornament, spring from the sides
beneath each wing; and I found afterwards, when I examined one of the
birds, that when in repose they are partly concealed by them.

We could scarcely move from the spot, so delighted were we with the
beautiful appearance of these magnificent birds. Now and then, also,
superb butterflies of gorgeous colours flew by us; while here and there,
as the sunlight penetrated amongst the branches of the trees, we saw,
creeping along the ground or up the stems, numbers of glittering
beetles, of equally beautiful tints.

At length, however, we repaired to our sago-tree. Macco used his
newly-formed axe with as much judgment as at first; we as before working
away at intervals with our knives. At length he exclaimed, "Me t'ink
tree fall now. You go to end of rope and haul, haul. Take care far
enough off; and I cut, cut."

Macco again shouted; and Oliver and I hauling with all our might, we saw
the lofty tree bending forward. We ran back even further than was
necessary, and down it came with a crash upon the ground, which echoed
through the forest, and startled several creatures, which went flying or
leaping, it seemed to us, among the branches or over the ground. One,
however, in a little time came back again, and we saw a curious black
face looking down upon us. "A monkey or baboon!" I cried out. A
chattering cry was the answer, and the black face disappeared among the
branches.

We could do little more towards preparing the sago that evening. On
passing through a more open part of the forest, our eyes were gladdened
by seeing some large fruit hanging from the top of some palm-trees.
"Cocoa-nut!--cocoa-nut!" cried Macco. Yes; there was the long-coveted
cocoa-nut; and apparently mature. Macco, as may be supposed, was very
quickly at the top of the tree, and engaged in throwing down the nuts.

"Stay!" I cried out; "don't pick more than are necessary, and we may
have them fresh."

We had soon torn off the fibrous covering, and knocked a hole in one of
the eyes. How deliciously cool and sweet did the juice inside them
taste!

"That is refreshing!" exclaimed Oliver. "I am glad we have begun on the
sago-tree, or we might have been lazy, and not have taken the trouble to
cut it down."

"Yes, indeed," I answered; "and remember the cocoa-nuts will only last
fo