Sept., 1909.] THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 53 



described often before, and I have nothing fresh to add, save that 

 the number of birds breeding seems to be the same as when Mr. 

 Gabriel visited Cat Island a score of years ago. Storehouse 

 Island was also visited, and several cormorant rookeries were 

 examined. Excellent cinematographs were obtained of both 

 gannets and cormorants. 



After a rough passage, we steamed into the quiet harbour of 

 Kent Group, to the south-east of Wilson's Promontory. The 

 light-keeper, Captain Robinson, and his pleasant family gave us 

 a hearty welcome, and we were sorry indeed we had to say good- 

 bye. The homeward voyage was full of incident, and once, off 

 the Promontory, the Manawatu was so buffeted by wind and 

 wave that she could make no headway under full steam for some 

 time. But the stout little craft won through, and once under the 

 lee of the Promontory all was smooth steaming. Still the trip 

 had a " sideways ending," for the Manawatu, after casting anchor 

 in the channel at San Remo, was left high and dry at ebb tide, 

 and the members of the expedition practically walked ashore. 



My second trip to Bass Strait was made in May, 1909. By 

 good fortune I was enabled to secure a berth on the Common- 

 wealtli fisheries investigation vessel Endeavour for one of her 

 short cruises. 



The Endeavour, which was built at the Government dock- 

 yards, Sydney, where, too, all her machinery was constructed, is a 

 splendid sea boat. Modelled on the lines of a Norwegian type 

 of tiawling vessel, the Endeavour measures 135 feet over all by 

 23 feet 6 inches beam and 11 feet 6 inches depth. Her engines 

 are of the most modern design, and she is capable of a speed of 

 12)^ knots. She is provided with a Hercules refrigerating 

 machine and a large steam trawl winch, weighing 11 tons and 

 carrying 500 fathoms of 5-inch wire on each drum. The chief 

 engineer is Mr. VV. T. Anderson. The " fittings " of the trawler 

 are all of the best. The saloon is small, but elegant and com- 

 fortable, and the cabins occupied by the director (Mr. H. C. 

 Dannevig) and the chief officers are very pleasant apartments. 

 Nor are the members of the crew neglected ; their quarters are 

 roomy and comfortable, and as strict cleanliness is enforced, the 

 Endeavo7ir may be regarded as a model for shipmasters. I spent 

 much of my time in the laboratory, which, if the space is confined, 

 is fitted with all manner of scientific conveniences. This is the 

 special sanctum of the assistant investigator, Mr. Burford. Cap- 

 tain Cartwright, an experienced navigator, has quarters on deck — 

 a cabin and chart-room combined. 



Everyone on board was eager to assist me in my endeavours 

 to gain knowledge. As a pressman I was a " chiel amang them 

 takin' notes," and I can only say that but for the kindness of Mr. 

 Dannevig and all those associated with him those notes would 



