105. ANAS SUPERCILIOSA PELEWENSIS (HARTLAUB):- As far as is known to observer this is the only species of fresh- water bird found in the Loyalty Islands and is confined to Uvea Is. only in that group (Casual, very rare passing through birds may occasionally rest for an hour or two or even a day on other islands of the group, but never stay and do not breed as there is no surface water anywhere on other islands of the group and rivers are non-existent in the Loyalties). It breeds on Uvea in numbers in the fallow taru swamps, uncultivated swamps and about the small lakes on the island. It is plentiful on the island but very shy and wary and is much persecuted by natives who only shoot it when at rest, consequently at such times it is very difficult to approach though it will fly close past a person and offers at such times an easy way of collecting. It appears identical with birds of the southern New Hebrides except in one habit which it has been probably forced into for lack of food on Uvea to support its large numbers. This is the habit of feeding as well as roosting on the sand banks of the tidal lagoon arms in the north and south of the island. Nowhere in the southern New Hebrides did I see birds feeding in salt water areas too. They feed close to them and perch and rest in and about such places. After sundown large numbers of ducks fly up the swam areas to feed in the taru cultivation areas on prawns, snails, etc., found in these places and return to areas of less human occupation before sunrise. There is evidence that birds pass to and from New Caledonia in the fluctuating numbers on the island and I my- self saw a flock arrive in the south of the islands. From