492 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION D. 
7.—NOTES ON THE ZOOLOGY OF HOUTMAN’S 
ABROLHOS. 
By A. J. CAMPBELL, F.L.S. 
My visit to these most interesting islands was from 7th to 23rd 
December, 1889. To Messrs. Broadhurst and McNeil I am in- 
debted for passages to and from different islands, as well as for 
much open-handed hospitality, while Mr. F. C. Broadhurst, Mr. 
G. K. Beddoes, C.E. (manager), and other employés of the firm, 
have furnished me with many valuable notes gathered of late 
years upon the groups, and which were impossible for me to 
personally make during my limited sojourn. 
Houtman’s Abrolhos are certainly the greatest “rookery” for 
sea birds in Australia, and by reason of their geographical posi- 
tion in the sub-tropics, perhaps afford suitable breeding grounds 
for a greater number of species than any other distinct or limited 
spot in the world. That the groups have been resorted to for 
untold ages by the birds is evinced by the rich deposits of guano 
—notably upon Rat and Pelsart Islands. Rat Island may be said 
to be fairly alive with feathers. There were birds breeding upon 
the bushes, birds breeding under the bushes, and birds breeding 
in the ground underneath. Rat Island approximately contains 
350 acres. Deducting, say 50 acres, for the guano station and 
cleared ground, and taking one bird for every square yard (there 
could not be less, probably more, when young and eggs are taken 
into consideration) the 300 acres would give 1,452,000 birds upon 
one island alone. With fair success I took instantaneous photo- 
graphs of some of the flights, but could not take the birds when 
thickest, namely, at early morn and late evening, the sun being 
unfavourable or the camera. Of the wonderful flights of noddy 
and sooty terns I need not speak, but can fully substantiate 
Gilbert’s accurate descriptions as given in Gould. 
MAMMALIA. 
Halmaturus derbianus, Grey (Derby’s wallaby). Found on 
the East and West Wallaby Islands (northern group) only. 
Luotaria ? (seal). Principally found on Easter and Pel- 
sart groups, but now getting scarce. 
Mus (rat). I was unable to procure a specimen for 
identification, which may probably prove to be the common Euro- 
pean rat introduced by some shipwreck. 
AVES. 
Haliaetus Jeucogaster, Gm. (White-bellied sea-eagle). Not 
common. Eyries are established on Wallaby (Pigeon Island) 
