104 Hull, Avifauna of New South Wales Islands. i z„d"oct. 



(P. iniermedius), P. griseus, or at least P. sphenurus, in occupation ; 

 but, with the exception of three of the last-named species, not a 

 bird was discovered. What caused the fresh sand to be thrown 

 out on the convolvulus leaves was a mystery. These burrows 

 were of great length, and wound about in all directions, leading 

 one into another in many cases. The sand was very soft and 

 loose, but thick roots and occasional stones deflected the course 

 of the burrowing bird to such an extent, and the lower tiers broke 

 into the upper so often, that it was impossible to determine what 

 was the natural end of any particular excavation. After spending 

 three hours in the fruitless search for living inhabitants, we 

 descended to the waiting dinghy and boarded the launch. A 

 short run brought us to Esmeralda Cove, on the main island, 

 where we had a most refreshing bathe, much needed to remove 

 the grime from the burrows, and then pitched camp. 



After lunch we walked over to the western end of the island, where 

 the P. griseus was taken, but a most exhaustive search revealed 

 nothing but a pair of adult P. sphmurus in a recently-constructed 

 burrow, and numbers of nearly fledged young birds of the same 

 species in the burrows we had seen on the former visit. I took 

 two of these nestlings, and at sundown gave up search for the 

 " Sooty Shearwaters." 



After a late dinner we essayed to sleep, but the mosquitoes 

 declined to allow us to do so. At midnight Mr. Harrison and 

 Douglas cleared out to the other side of the island and slept on 

 the beach, the breeze keeping the insects away. At 4.30 we 

 rose, had breakfast, and left for Cabbage Tree Island, where we 

 arrived at 7.30. Here we conducted a vigorous search on the 

 south-western slope for the new Petrel. The country was thickly 

 covered with tussocks and Kennedya vines growing over big 

 boulders, but there were very few tracks or burrows. One of the 

 latter only was tenanted by a young P. sphenurus. The scrub 

 was very wet, and we were soon soaked to the waist, but perse- 

 vered until every likely spot had been examined right up to the 

 highest point on the south end of the island. Here a natural 

 cairn of upright rocks is piled, and from the summit a magnificent 

 view of the surrounding country was obtained. 



We then proceeded to the White-winged Petrels' breeding- 

 ground among the palms, but I saw only three young birds, one 

 of which I took. All the other nests were empty, the young birds 

 having flown. Three old Penguins were found in rock-crevices 

 near the water, and Mr. Harrison found a deserted nest of the 

 Sooty Oyster-catcher on the rocks. It contained two eggs, one of 

 which was broken. 



We returned to Nelson's Bay, had a much-needed bathe, and 

 caught the Newcastle steamer in the afternoon. 



The result of this trip was therefore negative as to specimens, 

 but positive as to the rarity of the two Petrels I went in search 

 of. Whether they breed at all in the vicinity, or were only 

 chance visitors, I cannot now say. Further investigation is still 

 needed. 



