shyness and hiding ability, I do not think the total numbers can be much above if at all above the latter figure. On Uvea, like Mare Is., this species seems to be rapidly decreasing from some unknown cause and might very soon be entirely extinct on the island. Owing to its rarity observer could learn little of its habits or economy but believes it breeds from December to February inclusive and is inclined to range wide at all season except when breeding. PORZANA TABUENSIS:-?? (See notes "ZONE BIRD LIFE") A species thought to be this or a very closely allied race is present in swamp areas, but exceedingly difficult to collect. None collected by me. PORPHYRIO ALBUS CALEDONICUS (SARASIN):- Is present and breeds on the island is is said by natives to be common, but it certainly was not so during my stay on the island. Less than a dozen all told being seen by me even though areas where they were said to be common were very thoroughly worked. Nor during my stay were signs visible of the bird's presence anywhere in numbers, as no reports of damage to gardens were recorded. Sometimes natives do complain of damage to gardens by large numbers of birds but none occurred during my time on the island and on questioning natives who had been re- ported as having complained and on getting accounts from them personally of damage done, (reports of damage done and numbers of birds estimated to have been responsible) all reports were found to be grossly exaggerated generally by third party re- port which quickly increased. It is possible, though I think unlikely, that numbers of birds may appear at times from New