72 White, An Ornilhological Cruise. [2nd"oct. 



land, and went back into the scrub, but did not see many birds. 

 This was owing to a very strong wind, with dri\-ing showers. 

 Secured a male Malurus assiniilis in non-breeding i>lumage. 

 Several Sericorncs were seen, but they were very shy. The 

 weather was much calmer next day, and the sun showed oiit. I 

 landed again on the mainland, and foimd birds much more 

 numerous. I seemed Scrub-Wrens, Silver-eyes. Spiny-cheeked 

 Honey-eaters, and a Red-capjied Robin. While I was skinning 

 birds, some of the party were fishing over a simken rock at the 

 entrance to the bay, over which the water at times surged and 

 boiled. A wonderful variety of fish was caught ; some were of 

 most exquisite colours. One, quite new to all on board except 

 Ml. Waite, is known to the fishermen as a " Blue Devil." The 

 weather set in cold and wet in the evening, and all hopes of 

 getting to the other islands further out was abandoned. Next 

 morning, at daylight, we heaved anchor and stood out into 

 a big sea ; Init, after romiding Cape Spencer and clearing 

 Investigator Strait, the sea went down. The engines were stopped 

 off Caj)e Yorke, and M'hile drifting some fishing was done, but we 

 had no luck, as Port Jackson sharks seemed to be the only fish 

 about. Mr. Waite cajitured some marine life, the water being so 

 clear that the sandy bottom was clearly seen. The beautifully- 

 tinted jelly-fish floating by were much admired. Cormorants of 

 both species were seen on the cape, and a specimen of Hypoleiiciis 

 varitts hypoleiicits was secured. Getting under weigh again, we 

 l)icked up one of the boats with a party which had gone closer 

 in shore to fish ; then we stood up the Gulf. During the afternoon 

 two Arctic Skuas were seen chasing (iulls. but they did not come 

 within range. The Adelaide Steamship Co.'s s.s. Willyama was 

 l)assed hard and fast on a rock in Marion Bay ; the rock pierced 

 her hull some years ago, but she appears as if she were resting 

 at anchor. We reached Edithburg late in the afternoon, and 

 went on shore to send telegrams and get some stores. Then we 

 stood over to Troubridge Light, and dropped anchor off the north- 

 western sand-spit. Numbers of Cormorants (both species). 

 Crested Terns, Pelicans, imd small waders were clustered on the 

 sand. Mr. A. G. Rymill, Dr. Morgan, Mr. Waite, and the writer 

 landed. W^e divided, and went romid the island from different 

 directions. A Double-banded Dottrel was secured, and, strange 

 to say, although fully fledged, was an immature bird. Quite a 

 number of Rock-Parrots were amongst the low bushes, and two 

 or three were taken. Going off to the yacht at dark, three 

 Comiorants were secured ; they were all of the Yellow-faced 

 ^•ariety. Next morning we were imder weigh at an early hour, 

 and stood up the Gulf with a north to north-westerly breeze, 

 wliich strengthened as the day went on, and brought up a lumpy 

 sea. We made the Port River after hmch, and reached the 

 yacht's moorings in the afternoon, so ending the third cruise. 



There is much work yet to be done amongst the islands of 

 Spencer Gulf, and I hope in the near future to be able to continue 



