157 The birds here are similar again to the Bougainville group, in spite of the distance between them. All three islands are similar in respect to topography - steep - to with sheer cliffs of coral and limestone. The terrain inland is rough, broken coral and wooded - but not densely as described by the sailing directions ; the smaller bushes, creepers, ferns, etc., cannot get the footing. Consequently, walking is impeded by the uneven ground ; on other islands it is the profusion of undergrowth. The Bougainville group lies approximately lat. 10° 20' S - long. 152° W. Strathford and Hastings Is. are about five miles apart ; East Is. lies 13 miles in its named direction. These were given their original appellation by Bougainville. Alcester lies at lat. 9° 30' S - Long 152° 25' W, about 30 miles SW of Woodlark I. The native village is very poorly, all the young men being signed away fishing teche-de-mers. However the old man (one), and meris cultivate two story gardens. These produce good sweet potatoes ; yams and taro and paw-paw very meagre. Coconuts are resplendent, as would be expected. The new bird here is a large fruit-eating pigeon - gray breast & head and glossy dark blue back - iris dark red. It is not far from the Solomon gray Icoom. David and I took five.