Vol. II 

 1903 



J The Mutton-Bird Rookeries on Phillip Island. I Q c; 



The Mutton-Bird Rookeries on Phillip Island. 



(Observations by the Council of the Aust. O.U.) 



During the camp-out of the Aust O.U. on PhilHp Island last 

 November, the following observations were made, and are 

 thought worthy of record. Although the camp was pitched at 

 the Narrows rookery, where continuous field observations were 

 made for a week, all the other principal rookeries were visited 

 by one or other of the members of Council. 



(i.) Generally, there appears no decrease in the number of 

 Mutton-Birds that annually visit the island. On the contrary, 

 they seem to be on the increase — a statement some of the 

 islanders are prepared to back by affidavit. For instance, there 

 used to be a good interval of barren ground extending between 

 the Cape (Wollomai) rookeries and that of the Narrows. Now 

 the whole distance between these localities may be described as 

 an intermittent rookery. Again, eggs were taken from burrows 

 on the shores of Cat Bay, where the birds were not known to 

 lay before. 



(2.) In view of the island becoming a more favoured locality 

 for egging, and consequently for the increasing number of 

 eggers, it is recommended — in favour of the landowners as well 

 as the birds — that no opening of burrows to obtain eggs be 

 allowed — i.e., if the egg in any particular burrow cannot be 

 withdrawn with an ordinary egging crook, it be left, and not to 

 open the burrow by removing sand. The displacement of sand 

 or the uprooting of any vegetation about the burrows is liable to 

 cause sand drifts, and drifts grow into dunes, which sometimes 

 envelop everything before them, as is demonstrated on different 

 parts of the coast. Where sand drifts are occurring from this 

 or other cause, the Government — or, in case of private property, 

 the landowners — might be induced to plant Marram grass, 

 which grows well wherever already planted on the island. 



(3.) The plan adopted by Mr. C. W. Maclean, Chief Inspector 

 of Fisheries, of registering the names and addresses of eggers 

 last season worked well. The very fact of having to " register " 

 one's name seemed to keep away the rough element that was 

 reported to have visited the rookeries the previous season. 

 Over 200 names of eggers and visitors were registered at either 

 Cowes or San Remo. Next season a step further might be 

 taken, and eggers be asked to furnish a return of their takings. 

 Such a total return may be found useful for future reference if 

 it were found necessary to regulate the traffic by not allowing 

 persons or parties to take more than a prescribed number of 

 eggs. 



(4.) It is also recommended that egging operations cease on 

 the last day of November in each year. This will give eggers 

 a week or 10 days to collect — ample time. 



(5.) It was observed with satisfaction that the local police 



