Subdesert mesite happening in most of its range apart from to the north of Manombo. The birds are also taken by dogs, by hunting, and introduced rats ("Rattus" sp) may also be a problem. In 2002 there was an estimated population 115,000 and it is estimated that numbers are falling. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified the conservation status of this bird as ″vulnerable″. Subdesert mesite The subdesert mesite ("Monias benschi") is a ground-dwelling bird endemic to Madagascar. It is one of three species in the mesite family Mesitornithidae, and is restricted in distribution to a small low-land region
Joint German – British airship expedition to New Guinea Joint German – British airship expedition to New Guinea Prior to World War I, the island of New Guinea was controlled by three European powers: Germany, Great-Britain, and the Netherlands. Although all the three powers had claims concerning the entirety of the territory, very little of the land had actually been explored. The interior of the island was one of the most inhospitable places on Earth, and the colonial powers confined their settlements primarily to the coastal plains. In April 1911, Dr Wegener passed by Sydney, Australia, in the vessel Apia, whilst en route to his appointment as director of