^'"goz"' I Report on Muiton-Bird Rookei'ies, PJiillip Island. 43 



inspected six of the seven Mutton-Bird rookeries on Phillip 

 Island. 



The rookery not inspected was the large one on Cape 

 Wollomai. Its condition and extent are well known. More- 

 over, it is probable that the Council of the Aust. O.U. will 

 officially visit the locality next November, when the numerous 

 eggers will be at work. The remaining rookeries visited 

 (commencing next to Wollomai and following round the island) 

 were : — 



(i.) The Narrows Rookery. — This rookery is about half a mile 

 in extent, and is situated on the sand dunes on the Back Beach, 

 the burrows being chiefly on the tops and on the inland sides of 

 the dunes. The locality was full of young birds in a thriving 

 condition. Judging by those examined they would be ready to 

 take the sea in about a fortnight or three weeks. Some parts of 

 the rookery are scrub-covered, other portions have coarse 

 grass. 



(2.) Murray's Rookery is near the Narrows, a little further to 

 the westward. It is about a quarter of a mile in length, and is 

 more open than the Narrows, nevertheless birds were found 

 fairly numerous. Both Murray's and the Narrows may be said 

 to be in good order. 



(3.) Red Clijf Rookery. — This place, being on the top of a 

 naked bluff, is somewhat exposed, and is situated about half-way 

 between Murray's and the Nobby. There were formerly about 

 two acres of burrows, novr mostly deserted. Only a few nests 

 contained young. Owing to the shallowness of the burrows 

 and easy access to the locality (only six miles by a good road 

 from the township of Cowes) this rookery has evidently been 

 much depleted by egg-gatherers and birding parties. 



(4.) Nobby Rookery. — This is a small rookery on the summit 

 of an islet at the south-west end of Phillip Island, and is 

 almost depleted of Mutton-Birds. The burrows being very 

 shallow, the eggs or young are easily taken. I noticed only 

 two or three young in their nests, while a carcass of one recently 

 killed, evidently by a cat, was lying in the open. 



(5.) Flyrms Rookery is situated near the Inner Beach, on the 

 sand dunes, between a small lagoon and the strand. Its extent 

 is about a quarter of a mile. Birds were numerous, being well 

 protected in deep burrows under a secure covert of rushes, 

 " sword grass," bracken, and other coarse vegetation. 



(6.) M'Haffies Rookery is similar in size and extent to Flynn's 

 and is situated about half a mile further eastward. This rookery 

 is also in an apparently flourishing condition, well covered with 



season. Consequently, Messrs. A. J. Campbell and Robert Hall were deputed to 

 visit, during the autumn, some of the rookeries when the young were in the burrows, 

 and to report accordingly. At the last moment Mr. Hall was unable to proceed. — 

 A. J. C. 



