Houtman's Abrolhos Islands, Western Australia. 495 



Close to the Pelsart settlement is the largest rookery. 

 Thousands upon thousands of birds are constantly wheeling 

 overhead, and the resulting noise from the harsh screaming 

 becomes almost deafening. We make our way through 

 the low scrub, but beyond a little scuttling on our first 

 appearance, the birds exhibit no alarm. It is only with 

 great, difficulty that we avoid stepping on to a bird or its 

 nest, so closely do they sit. Many and many an acre is 

 occupied in this way, and then, besides, the Mutton-birds 

 [Puffinus chlororhynchus) burrow into the guano, and so in 

 some places there are three tiers of birds, so to speak — ■ 

 in the bushes, on the ground, and in the subterranean 

 hollows Jis well. Looking seawards over the partly sub- 

 merged reefs, we see great flocks o£ birds foraging for their 

 food supply, and the fact comes forcibly home to one that 

 very marvellous indeed is the supply of Nature. Millions 

 upon millions of birds are here daily getting their sustenance 

 provided for them by a great Creator. 



Towards the northern end of Pelsart Island are several 

 small lagoons, prettily enclosed by wide-sprawling man- 

 groves. These were occupied by another species, the 

 Lesser Noddy Tern (Micranuus tenuirostris), very similar 

 in appearance to the Noddy, but smaller, and more fussy 

 and garrulous. The sandy foreshore within the protection 

 of the large fringing-reef gives sanctuaiy for many of tiie 

 wading birds — in fact, every nook and corner of the island 

 is occupied by birds. 



A few miles away lies Middle Island. Here we wandered 

 over the reef and studied the corals and all the wonderful 

 growths of a sub-tropical sea. Immense sea-urchins with 

 spines a foot in lengtli, the Beche-de-mer or Sea-slug^ the 

 gaily-coloured fishes, and multitudes of smaller objects were 

 everywhere in plenty. 



"With reluctance it was that, after a few days' stay at this 

 island, we had to set sail for the northward, for, tied l)y 

 time, it becomes necessary for a complete cruise through the 

 archipelago to move apace. At this period of the year 

 (November) the strong gales, ''southerly busters,'''' are very 

 prevalent. Then it is wise to remain in shelter, for no 



