BIRDS - NEW CALEDONIA L. MACMILLAN Page 16 March 14th, 1939. Weather. Almost constant heavy rain all day. Clouds 100%. In the sheltered valleys of this area no wind was noticeable, but the cloud carry was from the NE. Area. This area of original forest which I thought was at the head waters of a branch of the Pirogues River I am told is actually on the Blue River which is the main tributary of the Yate River, or rather this river joining with the White River forms the Yate River which flows to the sea at the port and village of Yate on the SE coast near its southern end not far from the entrance of the Havannah Pass. Thus this actually belongs to the the northern river systems or water shed. We have thus actually crossed the Chain Central of the island at one of its low parts. This must be somewhere in the Plain du Lacs area. There is another river basin system which we must have crossed the head of to reach here as the Plain du Lacs River flows out at a point on the coast not far from the entrance of the Havannah Pass at the extreme SE end of the Island. We saw no signs of that river system and all three systems must rise within a few miles of each other and with only a matter of feet in altitude dividing them in the Plain du Lacs area. Bush. All the forest of this area where the camp is is tall original forest which has Kauri Pine forests with trees several tousands of years old in them to show their age. The forests are very dense carrying a great deal of underbrush and are almost rain forests though only 600 ft. above sea level. The forests are not extensive and are really only pockets in certain valleys which have avoided the erosion which has occured in all the surrounding territory. The line of demarcation is very abrupt and distinct. Rainfall is from 80 to 100 inches per year generally about 84 inches. This is said to be the heaviest rainfall in the whole island. Birds. The usual run were seen but it was noticeable all objected to the bad weather. A few were shot close to camp but no real work could be done. The only thing of note was that the two species of Rhipidura were found in the forest. SK. 32a. ACCIPITER ? A. haplochrous. Male 1/2 minus (repose). White. SOFT PARTS. Iris, golden; eyelid edge, yellow; Bill: Blue & Black horn; Cere, yellow: Legs & feet: orange yellow: Claws, black.