BIRDS - NEW CALEDONIA L. Macmillan Page 104 area of the trees is very much less dense and there is no actual continious leaf canopy. The ground brush is much less dense and more suited to rails and petrels. As there is a lack of water in the area it is possible that is the limiting factor in the bird life. In these higher levels there are a number of small springs which quickly peter out and these may suit the bird better, though actually I very much doubt water plays an im- portant part as it rains a great deal in this area. From the flowering trees and shrubs I should say it is very likely parrots such as Charmsoyna will be found. The natives speak of a black rail SLIGHTLY LARGER THAN Hypotaenidia which is found in these forests. It is caught by dogs and is said to be flightless but an exceedingly fast runner. They also speak of a green backed bird about the size of Guadalcanaria with green bars under. Trichogliminas is said to be present though very rare. It was once very common. Cats gone wild and wild dogs are said to be responsible for its decrease. Myzomela at this altitude is very abundant and appears to be much brighter with the red more extensive. Natives speak of one with anall red tail. Leptomyza appears to be absent at the higher levels but is abundant lower down, it has a call of two notes which exactly sound like two notes on a xylaphone, "Think-Thonk". It calls much at night and has many wierd calls. Natives speak of a very large parrot which I am uncertain about. It may be a large Nymphicus though they make no mention of a crest. Camps on the mountain after the track cutters have gone may yield some startling results and on the other hand they may not and all the labour of cutting tracks etc. may be useless. The main object of the altitude project is in the hopes of getting Tricholimnas as it is here in these original forests at a level which has not been visited even by natives more than four or five times in the last 25 years that I am in hopes of finding the remenant of the race in fair numbers. MORE AND I HOPE MORE INTERESTING NOTES WILL FOLLOW FROM THIS GREATER ALTITUDE.