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May 18.
Reports now that the civil war has actually broken out in eastern Szechuan so that now specimens can not get through.  I shall go on collecting, however.

May 19.
Today I saw soldiers drilling all over the hills. This only happens when war is imminent.  Went 25 li west of Suifu on the Yunnan Road and in a swamp killed 9 birds, ten in all, of which there may be 4 varieties I have not received before.
Filled box No. 83, insects.

May 20.
Wrote several Smithsonian letters re collecting, re trans-shipping in Shanghai, etc.
Secured some nice insects.
I am bothered about the gasoline. After opening a can, I have nothing to put it in.  Some way must be worked out.  It is impossible to secure a drum in Suifu.

May 21.
Solved the problem of where to put the gasoline.  Used jugs and bottles.
I filled the gasoline lamps and began to try them out.  One worked all right, but the other sprung a big leak so that I do not dare use it.  I am much disappointed.  One lantern is giving good satisfaction.
I expect to leave for a three-day trip tomorrow.

May 25.
Today I returned from a trip into the country.  It was the 60th birthday of a farmer named Tsen, a church member.  All his friends and relatives gave presents, and in return were housed and feasted from one to three days, a few for even longer.  I secured eight birds.  One of these was taken by somebody.  Another was crushed by two coolies.  I give the empty cartridges to the one who picks up the bird.  Two coolies both wanted the cartridges.  In the scuffle which ensued to secure the bird, the bird was crushed and spoilt.  It was a common bird.

May 27.
Have secured two bats and some insects.
Moupin is at present robber-ridden.  I may or may not get in there.  It is said that the forests have been cut down so it will probably be poor collecting at Moupin now.
The civil war in the Yangtse Gorges is over for the present.  Yang Sen has retreated northward.  He may unite with [[underline]] Lin [[/underline]] Chen Ho ^[[pencil insertion]] Liu [[/pencil insertion]], an enemy of the ruling powers in Central Szechuan, which would mean more civil war later.