Vol. xxix.] 6 



percentage of the birds shot were badly infected with a 

 small red parasite, the same or similar to that which is 

 known in other parts of New Guinea as ' scrub itch/ 

 Two young ones taken from the nest had the iris pal,e 

 greenish-grey, which eventually changed to brown in one 

 which lived in camp for several weeks. The bird was about 

 a month old when it died, but up to that time the iris 

 showed no trace of the ruby-red of the adult bird. 



" Halcyon sanctus was undoubtedly the most conspicuous 

 bird about our base-camp, where its harsh cry could be 

 heard all through the hot hours of the day. Our houses 

 and storehouses were infested with myriads of black crickets, 

 which, taking the place of cockroaches in other countries, 

 committed fearful havoc among our stores and personal 

 possessions. The constant packing-up of goods to send up 

 the river drove thousands of them to seek fresh shelter in 

 other parts of the camp. At these times the Kingfishers 

 became very tame and darted in and out among the build- 

 ings, taking advantage of the feast thus afforded. Mr. Claude 

 Grant shot here a single specimen of the lovely Kingfisher 

 H. nigrucyaneay the only one obtained. Other species at 

 the base-camp were H. macleayi, Alcyone lessoni, and 

 A. pusilla. 



•' A ievi very high trees were left standing near our huts 

 at Wakatimi, and these morning and evening were the resort 

 of such species as Mino dumonti and Calurnis metallica, as 

 well as a few Cockatoos and Eclectus Parrots. For a long 

 time during the hot midday hours some bird rested there 

 which possessed a remarkably sweet Thrush-like song, and 

 we were most anxious to catch a glimpse of it. After 

 watching for many days, I found it to be Robertson's 

 Golden Grackle (Melanopyrrhus robertsoni) . Its song would 

 not have remained unnoticed even in countries where 

 the birds, as a rule, have sweeter voices than those of 

 New Guinea. During part of April and May the Mimika 

 Avas invaded by a species of fly somewhat resembling our 

 Mayfly, but larger and of a canary-colour. In some places 

 the surface of the water was absohitely yellow with them 



