Vol. X. 

 1910 



1 Barrett, Expedition to Capricorn Group.. IQI 



TlRTLES. 



We had been told by Mr. Hedley, whom we met in Sydney, to 

 expect sport with the green turtles, so al^undant in these sun- 

 warmed seas ; and we were not disappointed. On the beach at 

 Mast-Head Island, on the day after our arrival, several of the 

 reptiles were seen basking. C)ne was captured, but others that 

 were hunted escaped into the lagoon. Rarely a day passed, there- 

 after, without turtles being observed on the beach or swimming 

 leisurely in the lagoon ; but it was on Heron Island that Party 

 No. 2 had the most interesting experiences with Chelonians. With 

 De Rougemont exploits in mind, some of the ornithologists 

 clambered on to the shields of sleeping turtles and enjoyed brief 

 but exciting rides. A turtle thus surprised, feeling the un- 

 accustomed weight on its carapace, would scramble over the sand 

 to the sea. Once in the water it had the best of the game, and 

 by diving quickly unseated its rider. The sport of turning 

 turtles was most exciting. Generally it required the united 

 strength of three men to effect the desired result. The method 

 was to rush upon a sleeping turtle, grasp flippers and tail and the 

 edge of the shield, and then give a sharp, sudden heave. Success 

 left the turtle lying on its back, with tail and flippers waving 

 violently but helplessly. Often, however, the hunters failed to 

 turn their turtle, and were dragged by the frightened creature into 

 the water. One or two turtles were killed for food. Broiled 

 steaks went well with " Johnny cake " and " billy tea." 



Erskine Island. 



It has already been recorded that the members of the party 

 visited other islands. One day the Endeavour took us for an 

 island voyage. She anchored off the reefs at Erskine Island and 

 Heron Island at flood-tide, and landings were effected from the boats. 



Erskine Island, one of the smallest of the Capricorns, lying a 

 few miles from Mast-Head, was first visited. It yielded little of 

 special interest, save a nest of the White-bellied Sea-Eagle, built 

 low down on the branches of a Sophora bush, and containing an 

 Eaglet. The vegetation was stunted, and the Pisonia was not 

 noticed in the scrub-clad ridges. Many large volute shells were 

 lying about the beach, and several turtles made black patches on 

 the shining white sand. An hour ashore, and the steamer's 

 siren called us away. 



Heron Island. 



Heron Island was reached before noon. About the same 

 size as Mast-Head, Heron Island presents almost identical features, 

 both as regards structure, vegetation, and animal inhabitants. Here 

 the Reef-Herons were breeding in the Sophora, as on Mast-Head 

 Island, and the Silver Gulls had nests. A nest of the Sooty 

 Oyster-catcher, containing a newly-hatched chick and a chipping 

 egg, was discovered and photographed. The nest was of the 

 usual crude type — a hollow, fringed with grass and leaves, under 

 a busli near the beach. Tall Pisonias occupied the centre of the 



