propensities of this species. When 2 miles across wind and 3 miles to leeward and 15 miles from the mainland (up wind) from the nearest land and that only 2 small islands at the distances stated, a Lichmera came flying strongly across wind (nearest land 2 miles) cicled the boat, and returned across wind towards the land 2 miles away. It circled the boat and did not appear dis- tressed or tired and returned landwards flying strongly at about 15 fee above the sea, and to as great a distance as it was visible was flaying strongly and losing no altitude. The sea was fairly calm 3 or 4 foot waves, with a moderate S.E. wind (scale no. 4) weather sunny and showerly, but generally fairly fine, visibility fair to good. In the direction which the bird was traveling when it approached the boat the nearest land would have been a small island 8 to 10 miles further on than the boat, and from the deck of the boat it was still below the horizon though it may have been visible to a bird at 15 feet. I believe it was the sail which attracted the bird, it possibly mistaking it for a tree or vegetation. The bird easily overtook the boat which was making 4-1/2 to 5 knots on the starboard tack at the time though gaining very little to windward. NYMPHICUS: - This species is far from extinct and the status of the species has improved greatly over the past few years. Before the last big hurricane during 1932-3 hot season (and a less severe one a year later) (N.B.: (Whites say 1932-3 natives 1933-4 but no one locally had a diary record, natives are probably correct) the bird was very plentiful and must have been exceedingly so for poor observers and bushmen like the Uvean natives are to say such was the case. At those times the birds suffered somewhat from persecution as live bird fanciers in Moumea took large numbers of them for local captivity, (they were and still are a favorite cage