Iq8 White, Expedition to Islands of Bass Strait. [isf April 



species — the White-capped Albatross [Thalassogeron cauitfs). 

 The elements were against us, for the huge seas swept up to 

 this rugged pile of rocks, spurting white foam high in the air. 

 These seas broke incessantly against the lofty crag, which 

 meant disaster to any landing party. The little steamer pitched 

 and tossed in an angry sea as she steamed past this barren pile, 

 and those on board had to be content with viewing through 

 their binoculars those grand and stately birds sitting on their 

 nests. 



HUNTER GROUP. 



With much disappointment, the expedition stood away to the 

 Hunter Group, and brought up in a snug little cove called 

 " Chimney Corner," under the lee of Three Hummock Island. 

 Here the Manawatu lay peacefully at anchor, and the members 

 of our party were glad to have a little respite after the tossing 

 the elements had given them since last port of call. 



Three Hummocks Island derives its name from three high 

 hills which rise in the centre of the island. It is mostly covered 

 with low scrub, and good-sized timber growing along the water- 

 courses in the valleys, while open grass country, with here and 

 there a small swamp, is also to be met with. This island would 

 be a fine field for the botanist, for small flowering shrubs and 

 plants seem very numerous and of many species. Some 

 members of our party diligently explored the sandy beaches 

 and rocks in search of shells and marine objects, while a party 

 of venturesome photographers waded out at low tide to a small 

 islet where several species of sea-birds were nesting, and were 

 afforded some fine photographic subjects. Some of the orni- 

 thologists penetrated the thick scrub to study the habits of and 

 procure small birds that frequent such localities, while others 

 tramped some 5 miles or more to a Mutton-Bird {Puffinus tenui- 

 rostris) rookery. This rookery extended from 2 to 3 miles 

 along the coast, and there must have been hundreds of thousands 

 of these birds incubating their eggs. Pacific Gulls {Galnamis 

 pacificus) were found nesting on the rocky points ; Black 

 Oyster-catchers {HcBuiatopns unkolor) were also found, with 

 eggs placed on the sand just under the dunes, above high water 

 mark, and the Hooded Dottrel {^JEgialitis cucullatd) was found 

 in like situations. The Pied Oyster-catcher (7/. longirostris) 

 was seen on the beach in company with the allied species. The 

 Black Crow- Shrike {Strepej'a Juliginosa) was seen along the 

 coast as well as in the timber country, and I believe a nest was 

 taken by one of the party. The little Dusky F'antail [Rliipidura 

 diemenensis) flitted about in its restless way amidst the under- 

 growth ; the Fan -tailed Cuckoo {Cacoviantis flabelliforjnts) was 

 observed in several localities ; and a Yellow-tipped Pardalote 

 {Pardnlottis affinis) was giving forth its short note amidst the 

 gum-leaves, almost too far up to be seen. The Green Parrakeet 



