(342) 343 These if the species ever inhabited these islands as reported. I think I am (correct in saying that most of the cats were brought to the islands by missionaries and this began between 1905 and 1910. I prepared the skull of this specimen and labelled it as a mat- ter of interest. Numerous visitors came to look us over from villages in this vi- cinity including some very interesting characters; I noted the same air of suspicious curiosity. Weather fine throughout. March 15 Five native hunters out all day returning much desirable mater- ial. The red parrot and brown fantail seem common enough; Phylloscopus and the green parrot are not easily found. Both species of parroquets feed in flocks; but the green ones have fewer individuals and are more active. They frequent the high tree-tops, and are consequently difficult to see when the mist hangs low on the mountain. One of the widely-distrib- ted Columba vittiensis was shot to-day. The black-winged Ducula and long- tailed Macropygia are common in this area. Certain species are probably of totemic significance to the natives judging from their talk. Various clans or moities are represented. Birds taboo to various natives I have question- ed include the big Aquila eagle-hawk, Graucalus papuensis, and two or three ground species which I take to be a rail, a dove, and possibly the thrush (Turdus choiseuli). This is an excellent locality but cramped and uncomfortable liv- ing especially for making bird skins. Last night we heard an owl which the natives describe as "no big fella too much", evidently Spiloglaux. We are collecting insects all the time and one snake was taken the day we arriv- ed which I have not seen before in the Solomons. Land shells will add up in big series before we are through. Additional natives visited the camp to-day, all from this Ari Ari district; some from the slopes just behind Ulimburi on the weather side of the island. Certain of the original carriers are still with us. The staff of camp retainers numbers about 15 and the personnel changes as they come and go. We have to buy all the sweet potatoes offered to provide the neces- sary hospitality which is casually expected. However, this crowd furnishes shooting boys, wood-gatherers, cooks (in sufficient number to spoil anything) and water-drawers. I expect that when the novelty of the situation wears off there will not be so many. I have decided to leave to-morrow morning with two natives for Su-u in order to return additional ammunition and other supplies that are needed. My cold is no better and causes me lack of sleep and general dis- comfort. Another consideration which has been sounded is that these Ari Ari carriers will take considerable persuasion to go the long way back to Su-u when the opposite coast is so much nearer. Coultas and Eyerdam agree that they can work out the high land while I take the ship away to the outlying islands off the Malaita coast returning to Ulimburi (about oppo- site Su-u on the eastern side) to rejoin them. This will cut down our work- ing time in addition. All three of us have been busy putting up specimens daily with no time for anything else. Weather clear during morning so that I could get bearings from the top of the mountain- Nura Is., S 5°E; Marau Sound (Guadalcanal Is.) S 20° E. Rain began to fall after 2 P.M. March 16 Packed up all specimens and my gear ready to leave by 9:30 with two volunteers who will bring ammunition and supplies back to the camp from Su-u. We reached the Kwairiekwa river shortly after noon and stopped at a village below Erigomano, the former base.