32. NYMPHICUS CORNUTUS CORNUTUS : (GMELIN). A.M.N.H. has. TWO(2) CAGE-BIRDS. Wants. SIX (6). Exchange value. EXCELLENT. Total Permit No. 12 No for Nomua. 2. Remarks. TWO RED TICKS & LINE : ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT. 6/3/39. Two seen. Flew out from midday camp tree at sound of a shot. One shot but no outright fall, + lost in forest ground scrubs. Calls are similar to Nivea but less human sound, less guttural. Both appeared to be imm. though that is uncertain. Alarm call "KO KO". 15/3/39. 2 of these seen at different places & times. 1 shot in bad mouth. The specimen shot was alarmed at a small calibre shot, but did not fly far. It was alone + in the same locality as the pair seen on the 6/3/39. It perched high in a tall tree, a tree with good nesting hollows in it. On my giving mimic calls the bird surprised me very much by immediately answering becoming excited & coming lower. It may have been the mate of the bird shot previously & lost. The other was seen, half an hour later + some distance away but was alone. It would not answer calls & did not settle long but quickly crossed the Blue River. 16/3/39. Fully 10 specimens were seen & heard during the day. A flock of a dozen or more certainly contained this species. One of these was shot + lost in the dense forest undergrowth. It should be possible to get a large series. The species is shy + wary but not so much so as the Nivea race. It is also a much more noisy race than the Nivea & not so afraid of humans. Its presence is not generally known to Nomua bird fanciers fortunately. 17/3/39. No definite records of this species on this wet rainy day. 22/3/39. Gap timber cutters report a number heard near where they were working. 24/3/39. A number were seen in flight at different places. One bird was entirely tailless. Appears to be a bird of fine weather. Should manage to get a series. It is exceedingly shy & keen eyed. 27/3/39. Several parties heard. All seen exceedingly active on this fine morning. There is little doubt this is a fine weather species. 28/3/39. A pair seen very early scanning themselves high in a sawie. Much bowing & scraping, advancing + brooting, retreating + bowing, all accompanied with much murmuring chufflet. One shot + lost. Chest hollow found near by typical main trunk hollow, male marks visible, c/o proof.