tles gaily.In addition to the pigeons mentioned Mr.Beck has taken a number of birds similar to the red-knobbed and common gray but showing white throat and white head.These do not stay up high like the yellow-bib,one or two having been shot near the ship.Kulambangra boasts only a few salt-water villages,having been depopulated by head-hunting marauders from Choiseul and principally New Georgia;the pickininnies were taken in slavery.There are perhaps a dozen villages,having perhaps 100 inhabitants.Mr.Beck had found trading for fruit or vegetables slack and has not used natives in the bush.Fish,limes,yams,and pineapples have been procured.The men are 7-Day Advent converts and appear apathetic.Those who brought the ground-doves received enough to pay their yearly tax which is about their only concern.The meris do all the work both in the garden and around the house,so the masculine worries are few.They do not use tobacco or betel nut as forbidden by the Mission.The villages reveal nothing startling in the way of arts of life. Yesterday morning Mr.Beck went after the little king-fisher returning with three,each of a different marking.He was forced to remove his trousers(pants)to chase one in among the mangroves.In the afternoon he collected sea-birds in the dinghy- sooty terns,several of which G.R.and I skinned under excellent tutelage.Toward evening I saw many plover and cormorants. All planting on Kulambangra lies at the N.end where the ground is most level;Lever Bros.are the owners. October 17 Mr.Beck up at 5 A.M.and out in the dinghy after shear-waters,which escaped him;he shot several sooty terns.After breakfast G.R.Hicks,the Doctor,and I collected near the shore tak-15 birds in about two hours.I shot a red and green paroquet,two minas,a white-headed hawk and a honey-sucker.Birds seem more plentiful here than at the Ariel anchorage.Mr.Beck shot another brace of little kingfishers,Hicks two more,making six of different markings taken in two days in this vicinity.Previous to Kulambangra only one or two had been collected on Guadalcanal.Insects,small fish,and crabs were found in their several stomachs.Prepared birds for an hour before lunch and for most of the afternoon,turning out three skins,a phenomenal number for me.After supper raised anchor and stood out for Vella Lavella,failing to gain the anchorage and lay to during the night. Another color sketch of the little blue and white kingfisher turned out much better.Weather generally fair with short rain squalls.Temperature in the cabin approx.85.David had a touch fever to-day.G.R.and I have started on quinine. October 18 Dropped anchor at the Methodist Mission station Vaitasoli located on the SE coast of Vella Lavella,Rev.Bensley in charge.The native village on the salt water numbers about 200. This mission operates a good-sized coconut plantation in cooperation with its religious work- with some profit since labor is free.Mrs.Beck found feminine companionship with two ladies who live at the station.Mr.Bensley gave us a fine boy to guide us cross country.He took us inland to a lake- the Doctor,G.R., and I,but we found it quite devoid of the expected bird life excepting the omnipresent parrot.Its name-Kola Kola and is perhaps 3/4mile wide being nearly circular.It lies on the NW side of the island only 1/2mile from the salt water;its level is that of the sea and the taste proved brackish.We could hear long-tails and saw two red-headed hawks.Returning the Doctor took a young green heron on the shore which we had to follow for two miles