BIRDS - NEW CALEDONIA L. Macmillan Page 62 Wailu Area: River valley, coffee cultivations. 0-50ft. A.S.L. Friday, 19th May, 1939. Weather: Dull cloudy almost constant drizzle and many heavy showers, floods in rivers etc., wind gusty strong E. Clouds 100%. Habitat: Coffee plantations under shade trees. Shade trees from 25 to 50 ft. in height. Birds: Little bird life was seen this morning. All were very subdued. Owing to the flooded rivers I thought Porphyrío might have been driven out into more open country. Several were heard but none seen as they kept well under cover in the dense parts of the coffee. Trichoglossus: A pair were heard flying high over head. Megalurulus: It was very noticeable that this species had abandoned areas where it was common in dry weather as doubtless the vegetation was too damp for its liking. They were probably all in the more open heathlands in this weather and in the little heathland passed through 2 were heard. Noted this morning the reason why birds in this area are inclined to be shy. There are two native boys schools in the area and I saw three of the native lads with caterpaults made from the inner tube of an old motor tyre. While under my observation I saw one lad stun a kingfisher. Sk. No. 50A. Gerygone Gerygone: Male IMM., 1/4, pale white, not flat. SHOT: 8 a.m. WGH T: 5.95 gms. SKL: .66 Ossif. STM: 1/4, minute insects. MOULT: ABR: W/T. slight. Wing: L.16 Body: neck, chin Q.