(34) 342 Eyerdam and self worked on birds at night.The Arorla carriers had a rest to-day. Clear during forenoon but some rain later in day. March II Eyerdam and I left with I4 carriers at IO A.M.,taking nearly all the gear and food with us.We had to pay the owner here for the use of a house,for potatoes,water-carrying,etc. Followed the same Kwairiekwa river and moving slowly began the climb over the range about 5 P.M.Rain threatening we were fortunate in getting the flies up to get under cover before it commenced.Fed the car- criers on some potatoes purchased en route this morning. No collecting done. Rain during night. March I2 Awoke with the beginnings of a bronchial cold.Had to give the carriers rice for breakfast which leaves about 4 lbs.We broke camp at 9 o'clock and after crossing the range got on to an old trail which took us over several ridges and on to the slopes of Torombusu where we had difficulty in finding a camping place at 4000 feet.From the Kwairi- ekwa we turned in a general westerly direction which locates this moun- tain unquestionably as"Kolovrat".Cleared heavy timber and set up two double flies.Water 1/2 mile distant.Finished making camp about 4:30. We are in the true mountain forest and already have heard the small parroquets and identified two species of highland birds:a brown fantail and a Phloscopus.The natives describe others,one of which is undoubtedly the Black-winged Ducula pigeon.On the way up here to*day two good specimens of the small Edolisoma("pseudomontanum")were collected. The carriers made what meal they could on the remaining rice,a large tin of meat,and some biscuits.Dry firewood is difficult to obtain in this area where most of the ground and vegetation is covered with dank moss and the mist hangs low most of the time. Rain commenced about 4 o'clock;weather cleared during night.I am uncomfortable with my cold which is no better. March I3 Nothing to feed the carriers but some oatmeal this morning.I put up birds while Eyerdam and two natives went out shooting.Other boys off to some village down the mountain to obtain a supply of potatoes. Coultas arrived with his carriers and supplies about II A.M.The hunters came back in the afternoon with several new species for Malaita: green parroquet(Charmosynops,"a brown fantail(Rhipidura"rufocastanes")and the mountain Ducula.We were at work preparing these until 9 P.M. My cold has settled in my chest and gives me a raw cough. Rain during the day,light and intermittent. March I4 Five natives out with guns at different times returning many de- sirable birds,two new additions among them- the Phloscopus and a highly- colored parroquet(Charmosyno).There are plenty of willing hunters but few good ones;they are paid in tobacco for what they bring in.I have been preparing specimens constantly.Coultas and Eyerdam are on the same job.We want to run as large series as possible while the weather is in our favor.An unusually large domestic cat was shot which illustrates to what extent these animals have adapted themselves to the bush.They have gradually found their way into the most remote inland villages since their introduction twenty or twenty-five years ago and the progeny being for the most part neglected readily forage for themselves and assume atavistic habits.I feel certain that this process has led to the extermi- nation of Microgoura meeki on Choiseul and probably on Ysabel and Malaita,