36 Mellor, Mallee-Foivl on Kangaroo Island. [isfTily 



effect was taken back to Adelaide. The matter was heartily 

 taken up by the South Australian Ornithological Association. 

 Specimens were difficult to procure ; but by dint of perseverance 

 the labours of the Association have at last been rewarded. The 

 State Government voted a small sum for the object, and, with 

 the aid of private subscriptions, several pairs of the birds were 

 secured, a permit having been granted by the Government, as the 

 species is now totally protected in South Australia. The writer 

 took charge of them at his home at the Reedbeds, where they 

 proved very wild and untamable, and fears were entertained 

 for their safety ; but in due course arrangements were made with 

 Mr. Arthur Searcy, President of the Marine Board, who allowed 

 the birds, in charge of the writer, to be taken down to Kangaroo 

 Island by the departmental steamer Governor Miisgravc, which 

 left Port Adelaide on the evening of 23rd Februai^y. 



Early next morning a landing was effected in the ship's boats 

 at Harvey's Return, a rocky and dangerous landing-place, where 

 supplies for the Cape Borda lighthouse are put ashore. It is the 

 only spot for scores of miles along the coast where access to the 

 rugged, precipitous cliffs can be attained, and then only by a steep 

 incline, by means of a winch and trucks worked by horse-power 

 from the top of the cliffs. In rough weather landing is impossible. 

 Happily, on the morning in question the sea was moderate, 

 with a long running swell, making the landing very difficult ; but 

 the experienced seamen, under the command of Captain P. Weir, 

 drove the boat, on the crest of a billow, into a crack in the rocks, 

 where she held fast. After spending the whole of the morning in 

 " spying out the land " for a good locality in which to release 

 the birds, a spot was selected about a mile from the landing 

 and about three miles from the lighthouse, where a good pool 

 of fresh water was available and the surroundings for miles pre- 

 sented much the appearance of the stunted mallee country on 

 the mainland. With the assistance of Mr. W. O. Wood, the head 

 lighthouse-keeper, and Mr. H. C. Tyley, second keeper, the birds 

 were conveyed to the spot in a cart, and liberated, after a quantity 

 of seeds of various kinds had been scattered about for them to 

 feed upon until they found their natural provender, which consists 

 of seeds of the wattle, insects, berries, thistle-tops, &c. The birds 

 at once made off into the thick trees and undergrowth, and it 

 will be interesting to learn how they fare in their new home. The 

 light-keepers were most enthusiastic in their efforts to assist, and 

 promised to keep a good look-out for further traces of the new- 

 comers, and supply notes of their habits. 



The writer stayed on the island until next day, and inspected 

 the country around, which forms portion of the Cape Borda 

 reserve, consisting of about 164 square miles, which the Govern- 

 ment have declared a national reserve for the protection of native 

 fauna and flora, and for an extended National Park. The various 

 scientific and other patriotic bodies in South Australia are desirous 

 of securing an extension of the area already granted, so as to 



