persecution fluctuates somewhat, at certain times gangs of youths with dogs causing a big mortality, then perhaps for months it is left unmolested. Often such persecution of this species is only incidental with persecution of another species (Anas) which is the main object of the drive (gene- rally at time when flappers or flightless young or eclipse moult adults have been seen in the swamps) but Hypotaenidia having a strong scent draws a great deal of unwanted atten- tion of the dogs and numbers are captured, especially juveniles and then are eaten by the meat hungry natives, in fact considered somewhat of a delicacy. It also appears in numbers in gardenlands everywhere on the island, along roads and in short forest in large numbers, amongst any coconuts which have any sort of ground cover, (long grass, weeds, etc.) and in the margins of tall true forest it is plentiful, but well in the centre of true tall forests it is not common though present. At certain season of the year it ranges widely and becomes nomadic more or less, but I believe adults return to the nesting area. It has spread along the islands to the westward, but just how far along them I cannot say. It is not present on the one farthest west nor is it on Beaupre Is. further west again, but it is present in the north to at least half way along the chain of islands. It breeds on the island often rearing two broods a year and I believe often more than two, as young quickly learn to fend for themselves and are driven away by adults. varying numbers of eggs are laid, generally 4 to 6, and are the same as usual in the species elsewhere. So are nests and their situations, in fact all habits seem identical with