206 White, Expedition to Islands of Bass Strait. [ist^Aprii 



Robins were noticed, also the White-naped Honey-eater 

 {Melithreptiis lunulaius), Shrike-Thrush, and, of course, the 

 usual shore species, such as Oyster-catchers, Hooded Dottrels, 

 Penguins, &c. The next object in view proved a disappoint- 

 ment. It was known that the Blue Petrels were nesting on 

 South-East Island, a mere mass of rocks, and the expedition 

 was anxious to observe them in their nesting habits. It was 

 found, however, to be impossible to land, and it might be days 

 before an opportunity presented itself, so the Manaivatu stood 

 away towards Victoria, and the further she steamed into the 

 Strait the stronger the wind blew, and the higher the sea rose, 

 till half a gale of wind was blowing, with an ugly beam sea. 

 The little boat was very light, having burnt nearly all the coal, 

 and her rolling and pitching were decidedly unpleasant. We 

 headed for the Glennies, a group of rocky islets known to all 

 those who pass round Wilson's Promontory. The sea was 

 running so high that it was impossible to land, and our course 

 was changed for Western Port. This shelter was approached in 

 the height of what residents along this part of the coast 

 said was the fiercest gale off the land that had occurred 

 for many years, and at times the Manaivatu was steaming at 

 full speed but hardly holding her own. The little steamer 

 bustled through it, and came to anchor in the eastern entrance 

 of Western Port. During the night the wind shifted to the 

 westward, and blew with renewed violence. The result was 

 that, on a phenomenally high tide, the steamer dragged her 

 anchors, and in the morning she lay high and dry upon a mud- 

 bank, with no prospect of getting off for some time. Some of 

 the party landed at San Remo, and found their way by boat 

 and rail back to Melbourne. Thus ended rather abruptly a 

 most interesting and enjoyable cruise of 15 days among the 

 islands of Bass Strait. 



Thanks. — The thanks of the members of the expedition are 

 due to Capt. W. Tait, Chief Officer A. Hawkes, Chief Engineer 

 G, Berwick, and others of the crew of the Manawatu, for the 

 active interest they took to make the trip a success. 



Results. — Apart from the collections made and the informa- 

 tion and enjoyment obtained, the chief results of the expedition 

 are : — 



(i.) The Tasmanian Government forthwith set about im- 

 proving the condition of the half-caste population of Cape Barren 

 Island. 



(2.) Cat Island, with its wonderful Gannet " rookery," has 

 been proclaimed a sanctuary for sea-birds. 



(3.) Discovery of wombats on islands not previously recorded. 



-^ Suggestion. — All the islands in Bass Strait are nominally 



