THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 141 



some distance down the cliff, the White-breasted Cormorant 

 (Graculus leucogaster) was nesting in company with the Albatrosses, 

 their nests being in some cases not more that 2 feet away from 

 those of the Albatross. Having photographed this wonderful 

 scene in all its phases, we start on our return, for it is 

 getting late, and the tent has to be erected before nightfall. 

 This accomplished, we turn in, but during the night the wind 

 blows up the gorge with such force that, fearing that the tent 

 would be blown down, we take our blankets and seek refuge in 

 the cave, but not to sleep, for the Penguins, with which every 

 crevice is tenanted, keep up a perfect pandemonium the whole 

 night through. 



In the morning an easterly gale rages fiercely. We take 

 several fine instantaneous views of breakers rolling into our 

 landing-place. A pair of White-breasted Sea Eagles are circling 

 overhead ; their nest is found on the cliffs at the head of the 

 gorge, but the young have flown. The day is spent in exploring 

 the other end of the island. After passing through the first cave 

 our attention is drawn to a pair of Black-cheeked Falcons, whose 

 agitation betrays the existence of their nest high up on a ledge of 

 rock. On reaching it we find one addled egg ; a fully-fledged 

 young one — probably the other occupant — is flying about. 



After much climbing down crevices and through gorges where 

 huge boulders are piled in endless confusion, we reach a high 

 rocky promontory at the south of the island, where we rest to 

 admire the view. To the southward Cape Grim, with its 

 attendant islet?, is dimly seen ; eastward is the long low shore of 

 the West Hunter, surf-beaten ; while far to the westward the 

 Black Pyramid rises precipitously from the expanse of the ocean. 

 Although distant 16 miles, a large white area, which we are 

 assured is caused by birds — probably Gannets — is plainly dis- 

 cernible. It is certain, from the large number of these birds seen 

 throughout the trip, that a gannetry, much more extensive than 

 that seen on Cat Island in the Furneaux Group, is in the vicinity. 

 We were informed that two sealers were once left on the Black 

 Pyramid by a passing whaling vessel, which then left and was 

 not afterwards heard of. When rescued, some time afterwards, 

 one had just died of starvation, and the other was meditating a 

 meal off him. Near the end of the promontory we stop to 

 photograph a nest of the Pacific Gull containing two eggs. In 

 the ground under the tussocks the beautiful Dove-like Prion 

 (Prion turtur) is found in numbers, each sitting on a single 

 white egg. We disturbed a crow which was eating one of these 

 little birds, after having already demolished its egg. On the 

 way back to camp we called in at the Albatross rookery, which 

 we were never tired of watching, and took a few more photographs. 

 The afternoon was spent in the cave, skinning birds and packing 

 up in readiness for our expected departure on the morrow. 



