[Austin Rand's journal, 3rd Archbold Expedition to New Guinea] July 6, 1938 to May 5, 1939
Page 21
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Transcription
Anas in outlet - saw a Neopsittacus Over forest. Message from Teerink tonight - 21 KM NE of Habbema at 1800 meters. Met 300 natives yesterday and 400 today - friendly. Richardson to top of ridge north of camp - open forest to top - then can see into Grand Valley - gardens four miles away - good forest below a short ways (?) reach it in one day. Comment from Teerink. Party in good shape - only a bruise - everyone in good spirits tonight. August 4, 1938. Light rain early then clear to noon - high clouds with holes in them - showers in PM - cold and miserable - 8;00 PM beautifully starlight - southern cross just visible - a half hour later showers - wind from NE. Up onto marsh head of lake - then forested ridge SE very little. Message from Teerink - in Grand Valley by high mountain - will stay there for parachute delivery - requests bread and cheese. Yesterday Meyer Dress requested food and collecting equipment though he went in with 800 kg. on July 18. August 5, 1938. After rain of last night clear this AM - toward noon clouds came down to hide top of hills near Wilhelmina. Sun and shine with NE wind light - over- cast this evening - no rain. Across arm of lake and into forest (6 or seven coots) - A pair of b. Gerygone chasing each other about over marsh, lighting on grass stems and trees edge of marsh - also others in open forest in the tree tops. Paramythia. Perhaps the most interesting find was the nest of this species. I flushed the bird when I was six feet from the nest. It flew directly and quietly away (except for beating of its short wings) and did not scold nor reappear. The single egg was warm. It measures about x mm, ovate in shape, texture ground color white tinged pink, markings are fine umber