native accounts it is possible they occasionally pass between Uvea and the New Hebrides as flights arrive and depart in that direction in the north of the island and as they never appear on Lifu must pass on to the New Hebrides or circle back after long flight. Natives know of no other species accompanying birds from New Caledonia but it is very likely odd stray birds do appear at very wide and rare intervals but never remain, probably find the habitat entirely unsuitable. This species has an eclipse moult I believe all or most of the wing primaries moulting at one time and the bird being unable to fly for a week or so. At such times it hides in swamps and is captured by dogs, being unable to fly, as are numbers of young birds in the flapper stage. I got one such bird on Uvea on the 25th Feb. (all wing prim. in full moult, tail none, body considerable moult) and got several others at later dates. Breeding and nesting habits seem usual except that to the best of my knowledge it never nests in hollows of trees nor do I know of any such hollows that would be suit- able nor the trees large enough in suitable places to provide such nest sites. On Uvea it appears to breed from December to April and early May and odd birds at other times (very rarely) a little outside those months. The bulk of bird breeding in (a few in January) February and March, and early April. Evidently waiting on the rains which begin in Feb- ruary and go through to May. Doubtless cyclones and floods in their breeding areas (swamps) cause heavy mortality in eggs but would assist young in increasing food areas.