Vol. XI. "j Hull, Avifauna of New South Wales Islands. 203 



young birds found on this islet, I estimate that the first eggs were 

 laid by the Penguins early in June. 



In the cave floor, and in the rubble lieaj) just outside, there 

 were a few extensive burrows that api:)eared to be those of a 

 Puffinus, but there were no signs of recent occuj-)ation or ])rep- 

 aration for the coming season. 



We then proceeded to ascend the steep slope to the top of the 

 islet. The ground was very friable, and the few creepers growing 

 in patches afforded very little hold. After ascending about half- 

 way, we found indications of burrows, and Mr. Grant soon un- 

 earthed a Pelagodroma marina, which was evidently pre})aring for 

 laying in a week or two. There were a good many burrows of this 

 Storm-Petrel in course of construction or cleaning-out, and, owing 

 to the numerous stones and roots in the soil, they were very 

 tortuous. 



Reaching the top of the slope, we found that a narrow ridge 

 terminated in a cliff falling to a bed of boulders, over which the 

 sea foamed, rushing in through a " blow-hole " under the opposite 

 side of what looked like a crater. Crawling along the ridge, we 

 reached the top of the islet, an elevation of about 200 feet. Here 

 the tussocks were fairly thick, and some low scrub of Banksia 

 intcgrifolia and Monotoca elliptica made progress a little slow. 

 In all directions, however, we found burrows in course of prep- 

 aration for occupation. Black sand was scratched out over the 

 leaves, and one's feet frequently sank into a hole. We diligently 

 opened up several burrows, but without discovering anything 

 except one old Penguin. At last, when returning by the lower 

 seaward slopes, I heard the familiar wail of the " Ghost-Bird," 

 as the Norfolk Islanders call it, and after much searching found 

 a Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Pttffiniis sphemirits) at the end of a 

 burrow about 3 feet in length. From the number of burrows on 

 this slope, I estimate that a thousand or more birds breed on this 

 islet every year. 



Near the top ridge we found a pair of the White-faced Storm- 

 Petrels in a burrow. I do not think that very many of this 

 species breed here, as there were not many of their small burrows, 

 and their usual date for laying eggs is 15th October. In two 

 patches of scrub on the top, and in the A triplex scrub on the spit, 

 we saw pairs of Megalurus graminetis, and found many old nests 

 hidden amongst the creepers hanging from the rock or entwined 

 about the banksias and Ficus rubiginosa. One female bird was 

 shot for identification. 



We then put off, and proceeded to the northern islet. Here 

 we found much the same state of affairs as on the southern islet. 

 Penguins occupied the lower slopes above high-water mark ; 

 White-faced Storm-Petrels and Wedge-tailed Shearwaters occupied 

 the higher slopes and the top ridges. On one ridge I saw quite 

 a number of burrows, all untenanted, intermediate in size be- 

 tween those of the two Petrels named. I am prepared to find 

 that these belong to a Prion breeding in December. There were 



