suffered decreases and this mortality, added to the previous decreases in numbers, assumed serious proportions. Close questioning of old men seemed to point to a previous great decrease in numbers, then a sudden increase to large numbers, apparently indicating a influx from elsewhere, (?New Caledonia) then a period of years of numbers, but slowly decreasing. This would seem to point to a colonising movement from some outside area into an area of unsuitable habitat, but such is not the case at least as far as can be seen, as Uvea appears to be an ideal habitat and visible food supplies are not more than 5 per cent in use, and probably not 1 per cent of avail- able food is consumed per annum. Nor are there long periods when at certain seasons food might be scarce as the swamps carry food all the year round and not 1 per cent of that available in such areas is ever used. Observer knows of no reason at all which could account for the status of this species other than some unknow disease or food poison. COLLECTED DATA: The species is said to nest in uncultivated swamps and to a less degree in cultivated ones and in bush scrub, ferns, tussocks, etc., patches of cane grass, in and about gardens. Eggs 6 to 14 in number gene- rally 8, (? probably 4-6). light brown colour with large brown dark blotches or smaller dark brown speckles in numbers. Incubation 3 weeks. Food, swamps bulbs and herbs, but mainly at present garden products, bananas plantains, sugar cane, yams, swee potatoes especially favoured, taru molluscs and and insects. Probable population for whole island consider- ably under 1000, probably even below 500. (writer's opinion