v°|-^J'-] Flinders Island Camp-oiil. I59 



that passages were forced through the dense thickets. Kangaroos 

 and waUabies were sometimes disturbed. 



A party was formed to visit the lofty Strzelecki Ranges ; it 

 consisted of Messrs. J. W. Mellor and F. M. Angel, Drs. C. S. 

 Sutton and J. Burton Cleland. Messrs. H. J. and Wm. Holloway 

 assisted by providing transport facilities for food and impedimenta 

 necessary for a trip of several days' duration. Approaching the 

 ranges, which lay about 12 or 14 miles from the main camp, the 

 party met with some fine forest country, thickly timbered with 

 giant blue gums {Eucalyptus globulus). Bush-fires had been 

 raging, and many of the splendid trees were dead. The ascent of 

 the Strzelecki peaks was made on the day after leaving camp, but 

 the summits were found too barren and weather-worn to form 

 protection for bird-life, which was more plentiful in the ravines 

 and sheltered spots at the base of the ranges. The ornithologists 

 did some good work in observing the birds and taking notes upon 

 their habits. Some members 01 the party arrived back at the main 

 camp late next day, a forced march of over 20 miles being made 

 through rough country. The others returned a day later, having 

 spent more time on the " Peaks of Flinders," camping at a 

 " humpy " on the track for the night. 



One day was spent about the islands in Franklin Sound for the 

 purpose of studying the sea-birds which abound there, Mutton- 

 Birds {Puffinhis tenuirostris) being found in vast numbers, while 

 on Rabbit Island the White-faced Storm-Petrel (Pelagodroma 

 marina) was nesting. Pacific Gulls {Gahianus pacificus) and 

 Silver Gulls {Larus nova-hollandicB), Oyster-catchers, and other 

 birds were also found breeding 



It was clear that as Flinders Island becomes settled many birds 

 will be driven from their haunts, if not altogether disappear. 



The weather was decidedly moist during the camp-out, rain 

 falling nearly every day. The stormy conditions made the 

 scientific work extremely difficult. However, the ornithological 

 members of the party were able to identify between 50 and 60 

 species of birds, the majority being identical with Tasmanian 

 forms. The predominance of Tasmanian species indicated that 

 Flinders was joined to Tasmania at a more recent date than to the 

 mainland of Australia. The investigations of the botanists 

 strengthened this opinion, as, out of over 300 species of plants 

 identified, all but a few were members of the Tasmanian flora. On 

 the night of 27th November the Yambacoona steamed into Lady 

 Barron harbour and cast anchor. Next morning, after breakfast, 

 camp was struck, and before noon everybody and everything were 

 on board, and the Yambacoona was steaming down the passage to 

 Cape Barren Island settlement, where the members of the other 

 camp were waiting to embark. The sky was stormy, and the 

 vessel had barely gained the shelter of the Tasmanian coast when 

 the wind veered round and a heavy sea arose. The Yambacoona 

 reached Launceston wharf shortly before 10 a.m., after discharging 

 cattle lower down the Tamar River. 



