(35) May 14 Off Marau Sound at 9 A.M.and by IO o'clock a course set for the eastern end of Rennell,the weather point of the island.ESE breeze with motor throttled down stands us well up on the desired course. Saw two flocks of noddy terns.Some rain squalls during day.One split the foresail near the peak;it took three hours to bend the new one which has been in the ship for over a year but never used. Vessel making good time all night.Captain afearred we might overrun the island without seeing it altered the course twice to the west of south May 15 Rennell Is. sighted at daylight.Our protracted landfall would be about in the middle of the island.Changing the course last night gave a way all our easting.Captain decided to beat up to round windward extremity.Stopped motor at IO A.M.after nearly sixty hours of continuous running.All day on long tacks.Put about offshore at 9:30 P.M.,about five miles from the eastern end of the island.Fresh ESE breeze with big sea running. May I6 Around to leeward side of island by 5 A.M. and coasting along under fair breeze,which feel light at 9 o'clock.Started motor.Approached eastern point of Kunggava bay where we came upon a flock of about thirty dusky-brownish-black shearwaters resting on the water.I saw single specimens earlyy this morning and tried to shoot two of them from the deck. This is the largest flock I have yet seen.Unfortunately,none were collected. Proceeded into bay and found good sheltered anchorage the captain taking my directions based on Crockshank's leading marks.Natives came off immediately,among them many familiar faces.Eyderdam and I went ashore collecting in the afternoon,returning about 20 birds of 6 species.One immediately notices how prolific the bird life is on Rennell compared to any other island in the Solomons (or in this part of the world). We saw only a few people arbound the beach settlement.Most of them are inland at the lake settlement(Kasiwala)attending a festival of some ki kind. Weather cleared up after we were anchored.Assisted in preparing specimens until 9 P.M. May I7 9 A.M.started motor and shifted vessel to position closer to landing and in calmer water.Riddall out collecting for the first time with Eyerdam and myself. Dr.Lambert set up flies on shore to begin examinations for jaws and hookworm and census survey.Natives came across from Bellona settlement in the Kanava district;this is located on the western side of bay in which the "France"lies at anchor. Several good species returned including a thrush(Turdus choiseuli) and the little ground dove(Gallicolumba).We want to concentrate on the more unique.[illegible] Putting up birds in the evening. Weather fine and clear;strong SE wind causes a big swell in the bay most of which we escape. May 18 Riddall,Eyderdam,and I ashore most of the day returning about 25 specimens.I took some photographs on the sand beach in the afternoon. Ten natives,most of whom I can recognize,came down to the "White Sands" from the lake settlement(Tengano).They bring greetings from both the important chiefs and are prepared to take a party in for a visit. Assisted with bird-skinning and preparation after supper. Overcast most of the day with rain at night.