102 Hull, Avifauna of Neiv South Wales Islands. [ 



Emu 



lour Mutton-Bird rookeries, testing a burrow here and there, we 

 returned to camp. 



In the afternoon we visited the White-faced Storm-Petrels' 

 breeding-}-)lace. This is a sandy hill in the centre of the island, 

 and the burrows are literally in thousands. We investigated a 

 dozen or so of those that had recent footprints at the entrances, 

 and obtained three young birds in varying stages of plumage. 

 These were the only inhabited burrows, the young birds having 

 flown from the others. We then proceeded to explore the eastern 

 end of the island, which is high and rocky, the boulders being 

 almost hidden amongst tussocks. No trace of bird or burrow was 

 found, and on reaching the highest peak we looked out on a steep 

 declivity falling about 250 feet to the ocean. A narrow channel 

 separated us from Little Broughton Island, which is very difficult 

 of access, and in the sea then prevailing landing was clearly 

 impossible. The island was most attractive in appearance, sloping 

 up to about 300 feet, ending in an abrupt cliff ; but the whole 

 slope was covered with tussocks and low scrub, amongst which we 

 could make out some stunted banksias. 



This completed our day's work, and we turned in early, rising 

 at 4 a.m., and after breakfast packed up and left for Cabbage 

 Tree Island, the home of the White-winged Petrel. We arrived 

 there at 7.30 a.m., and effected a comparatively easy landing, 

 the sea having moderated during the night. I climbed up to 

 the spot where I had found my new Petrel in December, iqio,* 

 but could find no trace of any more specimens of the species. The 

 White-wings, however, were there in numbers, and I secured 

 several nestlings in varying stages of growth None of the birds 

 we had robbed of their eggs in December appeared to have laid 

 again, and the old nests were deserted. A good many adult birds, 

 in pairs and singles, were found in crevices, but without either 

 eggs or young birds under them. 



On the lower slopes the ubiquitous Pufflmis sphenurns was in 

 evidence, nearly every burrow containing a young bird. Mr. 

 Grant and his wife landed further down the island, where the 

 Little Penguins had their breeding-places, and obtained a few 

 young birds and one adult. We then returned to Nelson's Bay, 

 and caught the steamer for Newcastle. 



It was disappointing to fail in the search for specimens of the 

 new Petrel. I had anticipated finding a colony of this bird, of 

 which I thought my specimen was a sort of advance agent. There 

 was only one course open — to pay another visit later. Therefore, 

 on the nth of March last, accompanied by Mr. L. Harrison and 

 Mr. Grant's adopted boy Douglas (a North Queensland native), 

 I left Sydney at 6.30 p.m., arriving at Nelson's Bay at 5.20 a.m. 

 The launch was soon ready, provisions taken on board, and a start 

 was made before 6. We had comparatively smooth water, and, 

 escorted by a sportive band of porpoises (or, rather, dolphins), 



* See preceding ai^ticle. 



