The open spaces look artificial & contain such weeds as thistles, while clay to roads thru the sand are imported settler's dock. The open spaces are nevertheless hundreds years old; however they may in part reflect old clearings or old burns. Any soil changes? [illegible] rock. Lots of birds are seen or heard, including red & blue, panato, barn bird, & the croak whip bird. The national park occupies the western end of the Banyao, privately owned land the center (when I came), and the forth reserves the southeastern end. The Banyao are an elevated portion of the dividing range. Departures 7 p.m.; 76°; 6 a.m. 60°; 3 p.m. 79° Tu. Jan. 20 Reached At Sterling's house a little before 8 a.m. to go with him, Richardson & Callam to a cave where bats were alleged to dwell. We found quite a party of would be cave seekers there. The Mac Clements & Mrs. Sterling was as well as also three children. The way led along one of the lateral crests of the main range, S.W. dipping at the tip very steeply down some 1500 feet to a ravine. A line of 30 ft limestone cliffs about 100 feet above the stream had been somewhat water etched to form shallow caves. The largest, a circular room some 10-12 feet in diameter formed the entrance of a low tunnel running back into the hill. There was at least a foot of dust (or perhaps much more) on the floor of the outer cave & continuing to the inner one. I entered the inner tunnel & squeezed 50, into the tunnel as far as I could crawl, but no bats appeared. I have not doubt they used to go there. But am equally certain that they have not been living in the cave for many months. On way back up spur saw "basaltic" cliffs to N.W. if we feeding an adjoining valley. The geology here seems to be quite involved. Excellent soil in clearings - red black earth - grows potatoes, beans, eggplants, strawberries, peaches, lettuce.