430 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



the Diomedea exulans are the islands of Tristan d'Acunha, 

 Auckland, and Campbell; that it also breeds on the Mew- 

 stone, Eddystone, and the adjacent rocks to the southward of 

 Tasmania, I have but little doubt, as some of the finest adult 

 specimens I procured were shot within a few miles of those 

 barren and inaccessible rocks; but as I have not had an 

 opportunity of observing the nidification of this bird, I avail 

 myself of Mr. Augustus Earle's * Narrative of a nine Months' 

 Residence on the Island of Tristan d'Acunha,' wherein he 

 says — 



" Yesterday, May the 28th, being a fine morning, accom- 

 panied by two of the men, I determined to ascend the 

 mountain. As several parties had before gone up, they had 

 formed a kind of path ; at least we endeavoured to trace the 

 same way, but it required a great deal of nerve to attempt it. 

 The sides of the mountain are nearly perpendicular ; but after 

 ascending about 200 feet, it is there entirely covered with 

 wood, which renders the footing much more safe ; but in 

 order to get to the wood, the road is so dangerous that it 

 made me almost tremble to think of it ; shppery grey rocks, 

 and many of them unfortunately loose, so that when we took 

 hold they separated from the mass, and fell with a horrid 

 rumbling noise ; here and there were a few patches of grass, 

 the only thing we could depend upon to assist us in climbing, 

 which must be done with extreme caution, for the least slip 

 or false step would dash one to atoms on the rocks below. 

 By constantly looking upwards and continuing to haul our- 

 selves up, by catching firm hold of the grass, after an hour's 

 painful toil we gained the summit, where we found ourselves 

 on an extended plain of several miles' expanse, which ternii- 

 minates in the peak, composed of dark grey lava, bare and 

 frightful to behold. We proceeded towards it, the plain 

 gradually rising, but the walk was most fatiguing over strong 

 rank grass and fern several feet high. A deathlike stillness 

 prevailed in these high regions, and, to my ear, our voices 



