Nicholson was one of the ornithologists in the party led by Major R.W.G. Hingston which included zoologists, a botanist and an entomologist. Nicholson's brother, Basil, was also in the party.

A principal objective was to compare life in the rainforest at various levels, from the floor to the treetops. The bird sightings made by the Nicholson brothers on the outward and return trips were recorded in their British Birds paper of 1931 (See General Notes MS. 15041/175 for more). Other published papers by Nicholson resulted from the expedition.