inornatus). Native hunters brought in more birds at 5 o'clock. Trichoglossus is represented by form that appears smaller than most. I was kept busy skinning birds until a late hour. Weather fine and clear. April 4 Three guns out all day. I remained aboard to put up specimens until 4 P.M. when I went ashore to make additional observations. I note several common species: Kakatoe, Chalcoenas nicobaricus, Chalcophaps, steph ani, Pandion haliaetus, Halcyon sancta, Eurystomus orientalis, Halcyon albicilla saurophag., and Aplonis metallica. One species of fruit bat is present. Charadrius dominicus is common and runs about in the gardens quite close to native houses. A rail is described by the natives. Gower Is., is only 4 miles NNE x SSW and from one to two miles wide. The formation is completely coralline limestone and the height of the island does not exceed 50 feet. It is densely forested throughout and the ground inland is very fertile judging from the excellence of native produce. Near the southwestern side there is a large lagoon en- tirely enclosed which probably connected with the sea at one time. The island is called "Dai" by the natives who number about fifty. They origin- ally came from North Malaita and still carry on active trade with coastal people, especially those of the Tai Lagoon. There is considerable fishing done in addition to the cultivation of the two staples- taro and coconuts. Chinese traders call occasionally to buy shell which is obtained on the fringing reefs; these are of no great extent. Water for drinking purposes is collected in holes in the coral. About twenty birds were returned to-day including a good number of doves. They kept me busy until a late hour. Fine weather continues. April 5 I went ashore early with three natives and secured a rail. This is evidently Gymnocrex sp. and is heard generally at early morn and toward evening, - "kong-a-o", which is the native name for the bird. With several other specimens I returned to the ship to prepare them. I am not taking any of the widely-distributed species in order to concen- trate on the new ones. Native hunters returned about 4 with good bag; I sent them out again to search for rails at dusk and again early to-morrow morning. It is a good opportunity to make a good series of this rather rare species. Ranging over the small area of this island one is almost sure to hear them calling, usually at their appointed times, during six or eight hours hunting. Like most ground birds it is difficult to get a shot at one. The natives have both pigs and dogs; these do not appear to have affected the bird life to any degree. Fortunately, no cats are pre- sent. Busy putting up birds until late at night. Weather fine but hot. April 6 (Sunday) The four hunters were out early this morning having kept the guns ashore last night. One small boy brought along another rail. Later several doves and pigeons were returned. Another sally toward evening yielded three more rails, one badly shot. Ptilinopus and Trichoglossus are going into large series. Land shells of three species have been coming in daily at a stick of tobacco for the dozen. Putting up specimens day and night. Weather fine with light SE breeze. April 7 Four guns out early as usual resulting in a complement of doves, pigeons, parroquets, and one New Zealand cuckoo (Urodynamis taitensis).