/// October 11th. Dull cloudy day with little sun and no rain. Commenced collecting and gathered 30 spp. in the tall young forest of Sycopsis immediately below camp. Nothing of particular interest; mostly ferns and orchids Work progressing rather slowly on camp preparations construction in spite of the increased number of men employed. Another convoy of 40 carriers from Habbema, including the Papuans. Carriers other than Papuans returned to Habbema. The assistance of the natives, who seem pleased to carry loads for a shell, is an important help to Transport. Transport from Habbema is xxx in a mess. Loads scheduled to come today have been replaced by others. There has been a transport every day since the 8th and I have only two drying ovens which I brought with me on that day. Richardson busy all day putting out traps and Rand out shooting. I commenced collecting. October 12th. Another cloudy day: heavy shower at 11 AM and others during the afternoon: 53 degrees F, inside my tent at 7.15 PM. A convoy of Papuans from Habbema with Dutch party stores. Four Dyaks were sent to Habbema this morning under escort for my drying ovens and returned about mid-afternoon. Rand's Ambonese collector Cornelius purchased a pig for 7 shells and presented us with some of the pork for supper. Our 2 Ambonese (Cornelius and Marcus) had trade shells sent up from Hollandia to Habbema by last plane. Collecting progresses well. Rand has 20 spp. of birds, including the mountain nuthatch Daphneopsitta. Richardson 3 mammal spp.--2 Melomys and a white-eared Ph Phascogale. I have 70 plant spp. catalogued and x 10-20 on hand. This seems a bad time for flowers generally. Rand and Richardson say few birds or mammals are breeding.