N£STS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 73 



" The ' Biudekin ' steamer (Capt.aiu J. Keir), a regular northem trader, 

 was due at Cardwell from the south, and gave us the chance of staying 

 two days at the islands. Terms were soon agreed upon, and once more 

 our party left Cardwell. We were provided with a tent and a breaker of 

 fresh water, the island being without spi-ings. 



'' The steamer amved abreast of our island shortly after three o'clock. 

 The captain put us into the steamer's boat, and in landing we had much 

 difficulty in keeping our paraphernalia dry on account of the sm-f. Our 

 tent was pitched between two pahn-like pandanus trees, surrounded by 

 strongly-perfumed white lilies and thick foUage, adorned with convolvulus. 

 The richly-wooded slopes of the island completely sheltered us on the wind- 

 ward side. Being in the Coral Sea, and imdcr the protecting influence of 

 the Great Barrier Reef, whose nearest edges were not more than ten miles 

 off, we felt perfectly secure in om- insular quarters. Winds might blow 

 and storms beat, but no gi-eat billows can ever disliu-b these tranquil 

 shores. The islet we were on had not been si)ecifically named before, so 

 during a passing shower, in the name of all that is beautiful in natiu'e 

 we christened it ' Ptilorhis,' that being the generic name of the lovely 

 Rifle Bird so abundant in its scrabs. Notwithstanding the evening being 

 showery, we cUmbed to the summit of Ptilorliis Island, but the result was 

 nil. In oui- tent we spent a tolerably refreshing night, somewhat broken, 

 however, by the annoyance caused by numerous indigenous bush rats, which 

 are not quite so large as common city vermin. They are known as the 

 long-haired rat (Mu>i louyipihts) of Gould. These rats fearlessly entered 

 the tent and attacked the provisions. They evidently had not seen human 

 beings before, for they made themselves so uncommonly familiar as to run 

 over our bodies. A pistol was discharged among them. The echo of the 

 report from the island opposite had barely died away before the impertinent 

 intniders were at their little games again. 



" Wednesday, September 9th, was a bright day in our calendar. By 

 daylight and before breakfast we entered the wet scrub, and were rewarded 

 with a brace of beautiful White Nutmeg or ToiTes Strait Pigeons. These 

 pigeons were just beginning to arrive from some northern latitudes. They 

 roost at the islands at night, retiu-ning to the mainland to feed at simrise. 

 We saw dozens of last season's nests. Although we heard theii- loud ' coo ' 

 in different places, the Pigeons were difficult to sight thi-ough the thick 

 foliage of the trees in wliich they sought refiige. After being much 

 emban-assed by the wet sci-ub and canes, I got a splendid male Rifle Bird 

 and a brace of hens (their plumage being at perfection at this period of 

 the year). I then dropped into a sylvan nook to watch the actions of the 

 birds aromid me. Here tall and tliick foliage almost shut out the Ught 

 of day. Pretty little Rufous Fantails darted at me as if I intriided upon 

 their particular dominions ; Zosterops chirped overhead ; Megapodes 

 or Scrub Hens, chased each other through the imderwood, and, 

 not detecting my presence, passed witliin a few feet, uttering curious' crying 

 calls. Where the ground was loamy they were patching up their huge 

 egg-moimds for the coming season — interesting in their way, but the 

 subject preoccupying my mind was Rifle Birds. At one time I was sur- 

 rounded by no less than two male Rifle Birds and five hens ; some were on 



