Vol. VIII. 



J Hull, The Montague Island Gullevy. 8l 



which the sea breaks in very heavy weather. The southern and 

 larger portion is of granite, the huge rounded boulders cropping up 

 above the scanty vegetation in all directions, and on top of an 

 immense rock in the centre stands the lighthouse, constructed of 

 the grey granite itself. The northern portion is of black basalt, the 

 cliffs on the seaward side being about 200 feet high and descending 

 precipitously into the ocean. 



As the steamer stopped, the lighthouse boat, manned by Mr. A. 

 P. Bailey and his assistants, came alongside, and we descended the 

 ladder with our luggage and camera, to meet with a hearty greeting 

 from Mr. Bailey, whose guests we were to be for a few days. The 

 landing-place, a strongly-built jetty, sheltered by a huge mass of 

 granite rocks, was soon reached, and as we walked up towards the 

 lighthouse and quarters we noted the burrows of the Little Penguin 

 {Eitdypiiila minor) on both sides of the track. A casual investiga- 

 tion showed that the birds were at home, and some were sitting on 

 their pair of eggs, while others were discussing volubly questions 

 relative to future housekeeping. A few very ragged and dwarfed 

 banksias {B. integrifolia) and Pigeon-berries (Mcnotoca elliptica) 

 scattered at wide intervals, were the only trees on the island, but 

 the sandy soil between the granite boulders was thickly overgrown 

 with masses of the red-flowering pea-creeper {Kennedya ruhicunda). 

 Under these creepers, tangled up with tussocky grass, rushes, and 

 stinging nettles, the Penguins' runs and burrows extended in every 

 direction. The Little Grass- Warbler [Cislicola exilis), chirping in 

 the Kennedya, a few Pipits (Anthits australis), and "Willie 

 Wagtails " {Rhipidura tricolor) were the only land birds to be 

 seen. 



After a glance round the lighthouse and quarters, we hurried off 

 to the north island to view the Gulls at closer range. And what a 

 sight it was ! After negotiating the stiff climb up the slippery side 

 of the " gut " between the two islands, we came upon the first 

 group of nesting birds in the Gullery. There, amongst the tussocks, 

 in the sandy ravines, on the stony ridges, and scattered about the 

 shingle on the slopes of the landward side of the island were 

 hundreds of nests of the Silver Gull {Larus novce-hollandice), while 

 the birds rose at our approach and filled the air with scolding or 

 plaintive cries. What with the noise, the flapping and fluttering 

 of wings, and the overpowering smell, we were fairly bewildered for 

 a few moments, and then we settled down to investigate, examine, 

 and take notes and pictures. But, alas ! the latter were fated 

 never to see the light again, as will be seen later. 



And here let me pause to give a few of the interesting details 

 imparted to me by that keen observer, Mr. Bailey, who has had 

 charge of the lighthouse for some years. He informed me that the 

 Gulls begin to arrive at the island about the middle of July in each 

 year, always appearing to come up from the south, in flocks of a 

 dozen or so at a time. They continue coming in sections until the 

 end of August, and keep strictly to the south island, where they 

 appear to be mating, but never on any account during that period 



