42 Report on Miittoii-Bird Rookeries, Phi I lip Island. [isf July 



Besides being in " a country of dense bushes and tame birds," 

 where the temperature ranged from iio° to 115" in the shade 

 during the warm portions of the day, and having surroundings 

 only of thorny acacia bushes and sand, there were many 

 difficulties beyond sandstorms of several varieties to overcome. 

 One was the way in which birds worked against the collector, 

 by some common one alarming the rarer kinds ; another was 

 their skill in hiding. The author says : — 



" The birds living among the trees depended upon the thickness of the 

 branches and twigs for concealment, and although there were few trees 

 with leaves, it was extraordinary how perfect a protection they were 

 afforded. Even the most brightly coloured birds were hidden in a thick 

 mimosa bush or acacia tree, and rather than fly away would retire into the 

 thickest part of a tree. ... I heard a shrill note coming from the 

 middle of a bush which was composed of thin and wiry green shoots, leaf- 

 less, but so interlaced that the birds were perfectly hidden. I kicked the 

 bush, but the birds would not budge. I walked all round it several times, 

 but the birds only travelled round to the opposite side." 



One needs to be an enthusiast in such a quest as Mr. 

 VVitherby had. An extract from his book will show not only 

 that he has written in a popular rather than a scientific style, but 

 that his heart was in his work. It will also perhaps induce the 

 reader to do what is worth doing, peruse the book for himself : — ■ 



" On one of our last evenings of camp life I was trying to shoot some 

 small bats that were flitting round the tents. ... As I was standing- 

 there a hawk-like bird appeared like a ghost from over the river. As it 

 passed me I raised my gun mechanically and fired, but the bird went on 

 and in ten yards or so was out of sight. 1 thought no more about it, as my 

 gun was loaded with dust shot, and the bird seemed large and some 

 distance off. Tiring at length of shooting by moonlight, I returned to the 

 camp, and, calling for a lantern, went to search for the bat at the place I 

 had marked with a heap of mud. As the light flashed on the spot, there 

 lying dead with outspread wings was the glorious golden Goatsucker. I 

 picked it up and rushed madly to my companions. ... I often dream 

 of a broad river flowing through a desert land lit by the bright moon ; of a 

 ghost-like form and a chance shot ; then I see a stately Arab bearing a 

 lantern, and suddenly the light flashes upon a glorious bird shining like 

 burnished gold all spread out upon the sand." 



Report on Mutton-Bird (Puffinus tenuirostris) 

 Rookeries, Phillip Island.* 



Melbourne, nth April, 1902. 



To the Council, Australasian Ornithologists' Union. 



I BEG to report that on the 29th, 30th, and 31st March, 

 accompanied by Messrs. A. P. and J. F. Smith, who have been 

 acquainted with the locality from childhood, I visited and 



* In view of members of the next Congress of the Aust. O. U. visiting the rookeries 

 on Phillip Island during the egging season in November, and thereafter to formulate 

 some scheme for the protection of Mutton-Birds, not only on that island but in other 

 localities in Bass Strait, &c., if necessary, it occurred to the Council it would be as 

 well to possess some evidence as to the state of the rookeries during the " birding " 



