30th
August 1995
Dear
Mr Plant,
Re:
Jungle Fowl in the Solomon Islands.
Your
name was given to me by Rod Harris who says that you have done extensive
research on Jungle Fowl in the Pacific region.
I
have been associated with the Solomon since 1968 when I first worked there for
the Commonwealth Bank and since then I have maintained an active inters in
that country at many levels.
Last
year I published my first book which is the life story of a native Chief in
the Solomons. My fascination with the Solomon Islands people continues but I
am also very interested in their wildlife some which is unique to that
country. Naturally it is also under treat from logging and land clearing and
any work which can be done is useful.
Besides
my lifelong passion for the islands I have also been interested in birds but
particularly poultry. In fact you could say I am chook
mad and my ultimate dream would be to have a breeding station on an island
in the Solomon.
Very
little work has been done on the birds of the Solomon’s in recent decades
although it I s more urgent every day. I do not have the technical knowledge
or resources to attempt to prepare any worthwhile work on the birds
unfortunately.
However
my interest in poultry keeping naturally guides me towards gathering
information about the jungle fowl there.
I
have heard a couple of stories from the Solomon’s about where they might be
but I am desperately in need of information about them which has been recorded
so far.
I
hope that you may have some material that you can let me have access to. I
would be willing to pay a reasonable amount of or photocopying, postage etc.
if necessary.
I
look forward to hearing from you
shortly.
Yours
sincerely,