Honey-eater from Re nnell Island. 119 



portion " Mangihamoa." The Melanesian natives of San 

 Cristoval, from the mountains of which Rennell is frequently 

 visible, know it by the name of " Totohuke." 



Rennell is about 40 to 45 miles in length and not more 

 than about six miles in width. It is about 400 feet high, 

 and almost of uniform height from end to end. It is 

 densely wooded and composed entirely of upheaved coral. 



Between Rennell and San Cristoval the German surveying 

 vessel "Planat'^ in 1910 found a depth of 3762 fathoms*, 

 so it is certain that there has been no land connection with 

 the islands of the Solomon Group within recent times, and 

 it is possible that further surprises, both ornithological and 

 botanical, may be expected when the island is better known. 



As, there are no anchorages and the currents are strong 

 and uncertain, the two islands have been very little visited. 



In 1908 an opportunity occurred which enabled me to 

 visit Rennell in a small cutter which was placed at my 

 disposal by a trader in the Solomons, who accompanied me. 



We communicated by boat with the natives at both the 

 \vestern and eastern ends of Rennell, and after considerable 

 trouble and favoured by fine weather, a precarious anchorage 

 was found in an open bay in about the centre of the 

 south coast. 



At this particular spot no natives were at first met with, 

 but we found near the beach a dilapidated hut and some 

 graves. 



Although I had a gun with me I was reluctant to use it 

 for shooting birds, as the natives we had met, although 

 perfectly friendly, were very shy and at the same time curious 

 and inclined to be thievish. 



During a walk through the bush, extending altogether 

 for about three or four miles in two directions, in addition 

 to birds common in the Solomon Group, I noticed the 

 Black-necked Ibis {Ibis mollucca Cuvier) settling on high 

 trees in the bush. It appeared to be quite common, and I 

 could certainly have shot two or three,- but did not do so for 

 the reason mentioned above. 



* See Geographical Magazine, March 11)11. p. •"LM. 



