BIRDS - NEW CALEDONIA L. Macmillan Page 44 local reports an odd female is seen in more open country in the lower reaches and a number of males are seen in the forest towards the head of the river. Only one female seen by me so far. Accipiter fas. vig.: Seems to be the more common species here abouts especially in the more open country but is very shy and alert as it suffers from the small white property owners in the valley because of its attacks on their poultry. Only females so far seen by me in the more open type of habitat of the lower valley. Circus: There seem to be a number of this species about and they seem very large for this species. Hypotaenidia: Seems common and shy but is often heard about the river flats, in long grass and about native gardens and small dry storm water channels. Porphyrion: Heard calling about the river flats but does not seem very common as there is little damage shows in native gardens. Columba: A few rare individuals are seen now and then but it is shy and wary as it is persecuted by whites and natives alike. Only one seen by me. Chalcophaps: A limited number seem to couopy each small area under cultivation, especially about coffee cultivations. Trichoglossus: Small parties of three or four have been seen and heard, generally flying high and fast to other areas. Chalcities: Two heard calling but does not seem common at all in the area. Tyto: Several heard calling at night, mostly down towards the sea. Seems to hunt across the river flats and delta scrubs in that area. Collocalia esc. uropy.: Seems fairly common in the area where shade trees for coffee and longer trees about water courses are present. Collocalia spod. leuc.: Very common about the open areas, is much the commonest species of Collocalia in the area. Halcyon: Is very common all along the river valley. Perches much on telephone wires. Seems to show a great deal of individual variation in the colours of the back and degree of buff on the unders and even in the color on the neck. Lalage: Fairly abundant in all types of country and seems