(137) Aug 1st - Ashore in the rain - four of us, Teora added another chested pigeon. David and I have heard one each calling right in from the shore, which gives evidence of their breadth of range. It is the same on all the large islands of the New Georgia group - the main land, Vangunu, and Gatukai; one can be taken anywhere if the collector can shoot straight enough and far enough. It is most tantalizing because of the bird's comparative farness, the boldness of its call, and yet the high perch that lends considerable immunity from either #10 or #6 shot. On Bougainville we never took one below 3500 feet, but I daresay the species may be found at low elevations in certain areas where the peculiar tall fruit tree is found. The natives questioned affirmed this, which, based on my experience, I scoffed at in my notes. I must declare that everything I say must be taken with reservation. No conclusions, but all kinds of observations. David brought in a yellow-headed parrot. This species appears to be uniform throughout the group. Are we ever going to see the sun also rising? Aug 2nd - Arose up at 7 A.M. and steamed out the passage taking her well off the land before we set sail. Rain squalls blew us across the shoals that lie between Vangunu and Tetepari and appear very fearsome in passing over. David left us at one o'clock off the south end of Tetepari and then came with a vengeance about 4:30 increasing to a gale with buckets of rain. It kicked up the worst sea I have yet experienced out here. The ship was safely home to off the channel between Rendova and our objective but jumped about like a Camp Island joyride. Aug 3rd - The ship anchored with an exhausted bunch on board in the only known depth off the island - 21 fathoms close to the shore of the plantation. Here we were greeted by two lovely gentlemen - Messrs. Sexton and Stewart - operating Tetepari Plantation of the Solomon Is. Development Co. (optimistic nomenclature). Rain again - Charlie, David and I ashore. It has been a record month for rainfall here - 3 clear days in all July - and in the last three days 11 1/2 inches - over 3" a day!