gather in large numbers at this time of year outside 103 it. Simbo is also the home of a tremendous fruit bat. At evening time they can be seen flying in thick flocks across the harbor. There is a curious unsteadiness in their flight, and they resemble in appearance all the imaginary reproductions I have ever seen of the ancient pterodactyl. In the short time we had on Simbo we didn't have the good fortune to shoot any. It is probable that they are not of a new species, but the consensus of opinion on board is that they are out of the ordinary. They might prove interesting if it is only in their tremendous quantity on this island. Finally, Simbo is the land of parrots. The red cocoanut parrot, the red and green paraquet, the large green parrot, and the green pigmy parrot are present. The first three are so common as to give to Simbo al- most its continual characteristic noise. Saturday, October 30th to Wednesday, November 2nd. Gizo. We weighed anchor, after bidding farewell to Mr. Polson, and set sail for Gizo for steamer day. The distance from Simbo to Gizo is twenty three miles. It is over the open ocean and we struck it with a comfort- able big roll on its bosom. The trip over took us all morning, but it was made happy by the catching of two fine fish on the trolling lines over the stern. The Solomons have never been classified for their fish, and no one knows the proper name for what they catch occasionally and esteem always. I have caught three