NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 



V/ 



In the west Gilbert found Wedge-tailed Petrols abundant, especially 

 on the West Wallaby Island, Houtman's Abrolhos. It was on the 

 same group, at the guano station on Rat Island, that I enjoyed my 

 dehghlful experiences among these interesting creatures. At that time 

 (December, 1889) I was the guest of Mr. F. C. Broadhm-st and liis 

 manager, Mr. Gilbert Beddoes. Until I mentioned the fact at the 

 Science Association, 1890, it had not hitherto been recorded that this 

 particular Petrel is nocturnal (at all events, diu-ing the breeding season) 

 in its habits. It is somewhat extraordinary that such a peculiar trait 

 in the bird's character should have escaped Gilbert's notice. About 

 half-an-hour after sundown they commence moaning and get uneasy in 

 their biuTOWs, and shortly afterwards birds may be seen swiftly cutting 

 the air in many directions. The moaning and infant-Uke cries of the 

 Wedge-tailed Petrel are a curious experience. After a ramble, one 

 quiet night, I noted in my pocket book next morning that " the whole 

 island seemed gi-oaning and travailing in pain with the noise of Mutton 

 Birds." About half-an-hoiu- before sunrise they disappivir undergi-ound, 

 when all is quiet as far as they are concerned. The attitude of this 

 Petrel upon the ground resembles a duck upon water, a squatting posture. 

 When walking they are assisted by their wings, which gives the birds 

 a waddling or lame gait. The eggs, like those of the Noddies and other 

 birds, are excellent eating, not at all fishy in flavoiu-, as may be 

 supposed. 



At midnight I steal out. It is calm, moonlight, A continual din 

 falls upon the ear from 10,000 voices of Sooties (true to their vernacu- 

 lar name, they cease not day or night to call " wide-awake ") ; some 

 are overhead, but the greater crowds are gathered towards the further 

 end of the island, and by reason of the distance the noise produced may 

 be likened to that coming from a vast swamp of innumerable frogs. 

 Added to these soimds there issue from above, below, around, the 

 melancholy moaning and infant-like cries of Petrels — literally it seems 

 as if the whole island were gi'oaning and travailing in pain. I feel 

 completely spell-bound while listening to a grand weird symphony, not- 

 withstanding it is being plavod upon the iiidcst chords of nature. The 

 Curlew Sandpiper introduces its whistle, the lapping wavelets under 

 the limestone ledges at high-water mark keep time, while great 

 fundamental effect is given by the sullen roar of the booming breakers 

 upon the long reef four miles distant. By the dim moonlight I can 

 discern a gi'oup of Petrels in squatting postures. At my approach 

 they scatter — some noiselessly on long pointed wings swiftly disappear 

 into gloom ; others with awkward gait, assisted by flapping wings, move 

 aside. Tlieir flight is very rapid ; with terrible thump the bii'd some- 

 times comes in contact, with the iron roofs of the station buildings. 

 Tlie season of my visit the first of these Petrel's eggs was dis- 

 covered in the burrows on the 17th November, while the majority of 

 birds laid the following week, consequently some of the eggs I collected 

 were much incubated, but no young were yet hatched. On the 22nd 

 November, fm-ther south, on Eottnest Island, I obtained a couple of 

 fresh eggs of this Petrel. 



