Vol. VIII. 

 1909 



1 White, Expedition to Islands of Bass Strait. 20=5 



season would be a fine flow, but at the time of our visit, being 

 one of drought, had dwindled down to a brooklet. Along this 

 watercourse birds were fairly numerous. A {evj small parties of 

 Teal {Nettion castaneuni) were hunting amongst the weed that had 

 collected in the brackish water near the coast ; Blue Wrens of 

 the Tasmanian species {Malurus gouldi) were plentiful amongst 

 the thick scrub and undergrowth ; Dusky Robins were seen 

 wherever an open patch was met with ; and a solitary Flame- 

 breasted specimen was observed. A Whistling Shrike-Thrush 

 {Collynocinda rectirostris) made a great noise amongst the tea- 

 tree ; Strepera arguta (?) was seen on the wing, and his harsh 

 voice ever and anon came from the timbered range across the 

 flat ; little Grass-Birds were flushed from the cutting-grass, and 

 a wary old Crow or Raven surveyed the country from the top of 

 a dead giant of the forest. Seeing a eucalypt in flower on the 

 timbered ridge, we made our way with great difficulty through 

 the dense low scrub and high cutting-grass which covered the 

 alluvial flat between the sea and the spur, and through which 

 the creek wound. The tracks of wallabies were very numerous 

 on the damp soil, and of unusual size. Having at last reached 

 the high ground, we camped a little distance from the flowering 

 gum and boiled our billy, keeping an eye on the flowers for 

 Honey-eaters, but not a bird came. Some MelitJireptus were 

 seen at a distance, but none came near enough for identifica- 

 tion. 



KENT GROUP. 

 From Killiecrankie a course was steered for the Kent Group. 

 The bold and forbidding coast-line of Deal Island was the first 

 to loom out of the mist, with its warning light perched on an 

 immense pile of granite rocks 1,000 feet above the sea. We 

 steamed up a fine channel (Murray Pass) between Deal and 

 Erith and Dover Islands. It had the appearance of a mighty 

 river confined between majestic cliffs of granite in rugged and 

 picturesque formation. We anchored in a charming little bay 

 called East Cove, and the lighthouse superintendent was soon 

 on board, for he and his family had been in a state of wild 

 excitement ever since they had sighted the steamer. They were 

 untiring in their attention during our stay. After inspection of 

 the light station, and being entertained most kindly by the 

 superintendent and his family, our party divided over the island. 

 The fossil-bearing cliffs to the east of the island were a source of 

 attraction to many. Some bones of an extinct kangaroo were 

 unearthed. The chief object of interest in connection with Deal 

 Island from the ornithologists' point of view was the presence 

 of .a species of Sericornis (Scrub-Wrens), and luckily four 

 specimens were taken — one by Mr, J. W. Mellor (S.A.), and 

 three by the writer, so the purpose of visiting Deal Island was 

 accomplished. Bird-life here was not plentiful. Flame-breasted 



