BIRDS - NEW CALEDONIA L. Macmillan Page 115 Tao Area. Coastal NW Mounts, (Mt. Panie area.) (continued) come considerably lower down the breast and there is much more scarlet on the back, in fact the whole back is a conspicuous scarlet instead of an admixture of black and red. Zosterops X.: Is common in the coastal scrubs and in the Noulie. It appears common and evenly distributed in the lower forest areas and becomes rare in the lower pandanus forests. From 3 to 4 1/2 thousand feet it seems to be nearly absent. It is present at the summit but appears to be larger and with a longer beak, plumage is a little brighter. Zosterops l.q.: Abundant in the coastal scrubs and in the Noulie but does not appear to enter the true forest beyond the first few yards. Erythura p.: Is present but not common in the Noulie and on the coastal flats. Is found, but not common, in the forests up to 2 thousand feet but was not seen or heard above that level. Introduced finches: Two species present in the Noulie and coastal scrubs but not in the forests. Is not abundant. Petrels: Unknown what species nest in the mountains but there at least three species nesting there above two thousand feet. Burrows were seen at 4 thousand and 5 thousand feet. Tall Original Forests: 600 to 1500 ft. A.S.L. Tao Area: Coastal N.W. Mountains. (Mt. Panie area) In this area the densest bird life appears to be present. Nearly all species appear to be well represented, except such species as are coastal or confined to the Noulie. Haliastur s.j.: Visits the area. Accipiter h. sub spec: The red eyed species appears to be very abundant in this area.