(332) largest of the fortified island villages in the Langa Langa Lagoon, is commencing a kind of New Year's festival to-morrow. Bushmen are coming down and there is to be feasting on pigs and vegetables, dancing, and the shark-feeding ceremony. I continued work on the motor during the afternoon. AK "Auki" arrived with Mr. Barley on board. Eyerdam ashore after shells but no other collecting done. I have heard the black cuckoo (Ludynamis) several times. Weather rainy and overcast. January 27, 28 (ex-Kaiser's birthday) Dr. Mayr and Eyerdam ashore with one native. I finished off work on main motor and tried to fix the water pump in the galley which again refuses to function. Coultas remains on board having an open sore on one [illegible] Hunters returned at noon reporting secondary bush country with very few birds; a common snake, a frog, and one phalanger brought in. During afternoon we all attended the beginning of the festival on Auki Is., which is to last three days. These people are heathen but the pristine quality of the dancing is marred by the wearing of calico, felt hats, etc. It proved too darkly overcast to do any photography. Uncertain weather with northerly wind and rain. January 28, 29 Eyerdam and I ashore at 6:30. I returned at 9:00 with a few specimens in order to make some photographs on Auki Is., both still and motion picture. All hands returned on board for lunch. Coultas and I con- tinued with photography during afternoon until 4 P.M. Mayr putting up birds. We have not noted much subspecific variation yet. The much-touted shark-feeding episode proved rather uninter- esting: the offal derived from the slaughter of pigs was thrown into the water from the built-up walls of the village and several sharks came along to devour. There were a half dozen small fish or reef sharks and only one large one (about 3 feet long). We watched an interesting dance which was followed by a community feast of baked pig. All hands putting up birds until suppertime. We paid another visit to the official residence to discuss the possibilities of an in- land camp in South Malaita. The presence of Mr. Barley and Major Sanders, who is in charge of police here, altered the attitude of the govt. as previously expressed by Mr. Wilson. We were advised to go in from the Su-u side, proceed slowly, and get out on any intimation of trouble. This is quite fair; and shows Mr. Wilson to be an alarmist. We returned aboard to help Eyerdam finish the birds. Fine during day with some rain at night. January 29, 30 Lost air starting motor, so hove up and proceeded out under sail with light favoring wind that died about 10 A.M. I worked all day trying to start the auxiliary compressor engine without avail. Under sail all day wind falling away completely at sundown. A land breeze from the hills gave us a good lead during the night. A few terns sighted. Weather clear and fine. January 30, 31 Vessel hove to off Su-u about 1 A.M., drifting in a calm sea. I took the wheel at 6 A.M. when we were 8 miles off the land, beating in with the land breeze. I got the compressor running about noon but we were anchored by 1 o'clock. The entire Malayta Co., staff came off to visit us: G. Adams, Mr. Aldington, the manager, and Messrs. Wilson, Archer, Speers, and Ralston. At work on motor all afternoon. No one ashore collecting. Everyone attended at dinner with the manager.