254 looks similar to those taken by the boys on Normandy - the iris in this specimen was white it; on reaching maturity this change to a brown, I believe. I have not yet seen a mature specimen. All the labels of the Normandy specimens are marked iris-black, which is, of course, erroneous. I shot one of a number of golden plover; there are plenty resting on these islands - feeding in the grass. I also saw one small quail - a midget species, previously taken by R.H.B. in the Guadal canal grass country. back of bush makes bird pockets, few and far between. The grass is short often leav- ing spots of open red clay soil and shale rock. The island does not go above 1200 feet in this southwestern part; the topography is rough and there are numerous streams. At present the pop- ulation numbers about 2000, supposedly on the increase - no missions and very little of the go't. The fantail here is different. Feb. 16th Three hunters ashore by 7. The cocking cam on one gun was broken yesterday. I told the boys to watch for quail; but Joel reported seeing none. I spent most of the day to no profit searching for them. Today returned