(12/1) by rare bird and one usually encountered with altitude is present so low is another indication that distribution is more uniform on this island. The majority of the large fruit trees are precisely in these fertile river flats; and there is not sufficient altitude to attract birds permanently to elevated residence. Florida I., is similar; Mr. Beck took a crested pigeon there around 1000 feet. June 9- David & Charlie went up the river in canoes while I again went inland, crossing a big mangrove swamp. Here I shot a large brown heron of the usual bird type but he got away from me, wounded, into the bush. David brought back a couple more little blues. She is taking Hicks' place to perfection. Charlie & Teora are good simply as utility men. I hope to locate some good Solomon boys - probably Malaita in Tulagi, who will trim in much more bacon. The new lad Paul shows an inclination to shoot. He brought in a fine mess of pigeons for kai-kai in about two hours, hunting along the shore. I returned early to-day; David and Charlie at the usual time. At 7 P.M. we hoove up and proceeded out softly and set all sail, moving down the coast during the night with the land breeze. June 10- Started engine at 11 A.M. and made Sinagutu Entrance in side I which we anchored in 12 fathoms off the mouth of a large river. The rest of the Sabbath observed. June 11- Teora again joined us. Four hunters will be kept out from now on. We puchated up the river which is one way of getting inland on this deserted place. We have been taking the white-lared knifisher quite regularly inside the lagoon and around these rivers. Another Mission Station is here, located on a small island. These places are rarely visited by any of the head Moohoogals but are maintained by native teachers. The Mission schooner calls for the copra. This bunch do not even approach the ship. The Marovo has a reputation for being a poor locality for obtaining native foods. There is only one white resident on this side from Hathorn Sound where Sewin Bros. are located or Arundel I., to Chesprane Entrance - Mr. Newall at Ramade Bay, Haweri Island. J.R. & I visited his plantation when we came up to join the France at Mulambauger in the schooner Awa. Rain most of the afternoon. We do all our skinning on deck which is much more efficient and comfortable than the sweet-box (the hold) where six of us used to jam ourselves around three reeking benzine lamps. With air to breathe we can do more birds & turn out better skins in the long run, sleep better, avoid prickly heat, etc., Since Teora and Charlie are so flat-footed with their fingers in making up the birds (I am no rose yet), I have decided to let them skin while David and I make them up. Philip will go on because he has the adaptive instinct. Charlie & Teora, however, can finish big birds quite well. So instead of putting the operator's (sic) name on the skin he (per se) turns out I shall mark all our products with simply my initials H.H., and take all consequences.