(334) February 4/5 AK"Ruana"returned from Tulagi this morning which meant that I could use the engineering shop.I remained onboard to work on the motor. No mail brought back for us. Three local natives out shooting with Eyerdam and numerous common birds collected: We worked late on the specimens. Clear during morning;some rain later and at night. February 5/6 Ashore collecting only part of the day.Spent the rest of my time in the engine-room. Three natives out shooting along with Mayr and Eyerdam.Three new representatives returned:Monarcha"arses"(blackhead)and Aplonis grandi,the large starling;a small grey and black Edolisoma("pseudo-montanum")also appears different.The larger graybird(Edolisoma schisticepa)evidently does not vary. Weather unsettled and rainy;storms making up from the NW. February 6/7 Intermittent rain all day.I finished work on the motor and greased bright parts for lay-up.Spent most of the day moving into my cabin forward. Eyerdam and four natives ashore shooting with good results.Two species of Ptilinopus taken,both of wide distribution throughout the group;only one kingfisher so far-Halcyon chloris.Chalcophaps stephani is common along wooded coraline foreshore. Worked on specimens during afternoon and evening. Rain at night and wind from NW and WNW. February 7/8 Ventured ashore but failed to cross the Kwairiekwa in flood to get inland.Returned to ship very wet.Eyerdam and four natives collected a few birds.The native shooters have taken to the collecting well after a few day's trial.We are filling the series of common species before making a camp. Worked during afternoon and evening skinning birds. Heavy rain during night with strong NW wind. February 8/9 Rainy all day.Four natives ashore with Eyerdam.Birds to skin on board morning,afternoon,and evening. Vessel straining at her anchor in heavy swell. Heavy rain and NW squalls during night. February 9/10 (Sunday) The ship dragged her anchor during squalls and close to shore at daybreak.Started motor and hove up to shift to safer and more comfortable position. Two natives out shooting despite bad weather but with rather poor result.One Eudynamis cuckoo returned in juvenile plumage.I went out with Eyerdam to examine nest of the common rail or coot(Porphyrio) It was made in the branches of a low tree not more than 15 feet high, the upper part covered with vines and leaves.The nest was 6 feet above the ground and well constructed out of small twigs and liana.It was well concealed although located just off a much-used native track.The sitting female must have been disturbed often;Eyerdam frightened it off the nest on two occasions.The clutch contained five eggs which were taken.An overcast sky and the position of the nest shaded by overhanging vines and leaves made a photograph impossible. February 10/11 Heavy weather continues from the NW in intermittent driving