birds had so accumulated on the skinning bench that it took Dr. Drowne and myself all day working steadily to run them out. In this wise we are fortunate to be able to leave the birds overnight which is not possible at water level whereat they spoil as soon as six hours after shooting. The strain is very heavy on the Doctor, who stays at the bench all the hours of the day bent over in a cramped position. It is not so bad when it comes every other day, but as an unadulterated diet, I am afraid it will prove too much for him, as, indeed, it would prove too much for anybody. More snakes, longicorns, rhinoceros beetles, butterflies, and grasshoppers were brought in by the natives today. The sideline collection is developing extraordinary proportions. The pilgrimage from the village in the evening brought three baskets of taro, a large basket of cocoanut pudding, and another bunch of bananas. The natives are becoming far less shy than they were at first. A number of the very old men, wearing nothing and with great grayish beards covering their wizened features, are making it a habit to come to the camp about sunset for a gossip together under our single cocoanut palm. They evince an interest in the day's bag of the man on the mountain when he comes down. When the first shot audible in the camp on his descent is made, they all look quickly in its direction and commence an animated conversation in the tongue of Kupei. Three times a four or five year old girl pickanniny has come with them. She is bound round and round with the folds of a long blue