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Transcription
L 21, P 22
river, one at the level of the of the
mixed swamp and ridge country between the Fly R and
Lake Murray (which Brass + I noted mite way up),
and another somewhere near the Tariful Trap. I
islands. While I personally don't expect much from them,
stationing the other two do. Anyway it will clean up the
area. From Dame while we ought to reach at the beginning
of October we shall go on the "Mainer" along the south
coast as far as the Dutch border to the Bensbach R.
country ends in the way back possibly stop at the
Strachan Island section. That work should terminate our
investigations in southern Papua.
Went out at 9 ock to look at some stud traps or to
get another two. Nothing in the old ones. In the afternoon
Healy + I started mapping the Serpe basin & the surrounding
hills. Considerable changes in existing maps will probably
result. Failed to hear anything of VHW8 at 4,30 pm.
S at, July 25. Risen early in night. Overcast this morning.
I've been running my mixed cone-traps over nine returning to
Black River camp that the number of Thrips flying seems much
smaller. There are quite a few new ones however.
The feature of the day was the catching of Hydromys the
water rat of Australia and New Guinea. Archbold did not
come across it last trip and until now I had seen no
trace of it, altho I had looked for foot prints in riverside
mud. In a steep trap set in forest in a place where
a usually dry gully is crossed by a low (1 ft high) bridge
of earth and roots I had set two traps - one under the
bridge & one on it. The Hydromys was caught in the
upper trap. It made a lot paroling noise as I approached.
The nearest gully with water flowing in it must be 50 yds
a more away, so it looks as tho the species taken has
the habit of leaving the river and penetrating up the practically
dry minor gullies into the woods.
The animal was brought to camp alive & released on a cork
for photographing. It was active and could make distal short
jumps. It appeared aggressive of temper and went out if its way
to attack and bite sticks that were held near it. What