25G NATURAL HISTORY SKETCHES. 



it requires a good boat and hardy crew to weather th 

 surf, which at times breaks with thundering violence 

 over the iron-bound coast at the entrance to this bay. 

 The seals appear to come on to these rocks about the 

 end of November ; and fine still weather in December 

 is the right time for sealing. 



"Western Port Bay will, I fancy, soon be the great 

 rendezvous of the fishermen south of Melbourne. The 

 shipping and steamers have much disturbed the fish in 

 Port Phillip Bay within the last few years, whereas in 

 Western Port Bay there is no harbour for shipping ; 

 and although the shores are principally mud-flats in- 

 stead of a sandy beach, there is much good fishing- 

 ground, and many places where a net can be " shot." 

 The distance from town is considerable ; but even now 

 hawkers run regularly during the winter ; and depend 

 upon it, if the fishermen once get down there, John 

 Chinaman will soon follow them. 



When I first came into this district, I camped for two 

 seasons at Mordialloc, on the beach, about fifteen miles 

 south of Melbourne, then the best fishing-station in this 

 part of the country. In my time there was not a better 

 shooting-ground anywhere near Melbourne ; and had 

 things only remained as they then were, I should never 

 have cared to leave it ; but the game became scarce, and 

 all the land bought up, so that you could not walk a mile 

 without a three-rail fence staring you in the face. I shall 

 even look back with pleasure upon the time I spent at 

 Mordialloc ; nor shall I easily forget the uniform kind 



