Vol. VIII, 



1909 



J White, Expedition to Islands of Bass Strait. 207 



Tasmanian. For the better protection of birds, notably Cape 

 Barren Geese and Mutton-Birds, it is suggested that the islands 

 contiguous to Wilson's Promontory might, for obvious reasons, 

 be transferred to the control of Victoria. 



Camp-Out on Phillip Island. 



By a. J. Campbell, Col. Mem. B.O.U. 



As it was inconvenient for some members attending the Mel- 

 bourne session of the A.O.U. to take the fortnight's cruise 

 in Bass Strait, a land party was organized for a week's camp-out 

 on Phillip Island, Western Port, for observation chiefly among 

 the Mutton-Bird rookeries on Cape Woliomai.* 



The party consisted of Mesdames Israel, Mellor, Campbell, 

 Misses Eberhard, Mellor (2), Masters Israel, French, Messrs. 

 J. Mellor, A. C. C. Clarke, A. Bishop, C. E. Campbell, A. J. 

 Campbell (leader), and R. A. Murray (cook). 



Leaving Melbourne early on Tuesday, 24th November, by 

 train and steamer the party reached San Remo about 2 p.m. 

 Here fishermen J. F. Brown and Son were in readiness to 

 convey excursionists, luggage, and provisions across the eastern 

 entrance to the appointed camping site on the shore near Cape 

 Woliomai, the great headland of Phillip Island — the selected 

 site of the camp having some days previously been kindly 

 " pegged out " by Constable Kelleher, of San Remo. By 

 nightfall all were safe and snug under canvas. 



The encampment consisted of six tents, securely sheltered 

 amongst tea-tree, protected on the weather side by sand-dunes 

 heavily clothed with scrub. The only disadvantage was with re- 

 gard to water, which had to be carried some distance from soaks. 



At 5 o'clock next morning the cook sounded the gong for 

 coffee and biscuits, and shortly afterwards all the party were 

 filing their way through the dewy and scented tussock-grass on 

 Cape Woliomai to explore the Mutton-Bird burrows. Eggs as 

 yet were not plentiful, but sufficient were " hooked " for break- 

 fast. Puffinus eggs and bacon (fried) make a most recherche 

 meal. The remainder of the day was employed in examining 

 the whole of the rookeries in the neighbourhood, and observa- 

 tions made regarding the extent of the encroachment of wind- 

 blown sand-drifts upon the western side — a serious matter. 

 In the evening, at dusk, the majority of observers were on pig- 

 face w.eed-covered declivities of the back beach, witnessing 

 the incoming flight of birds — a most marvellous sight, often 

 described by previous writers. The members who remained in 

 camp observed the Manawatu (with the A.O.U.'s Strait expedi- 

 tion on board) pass out of the Eastern Entrance and round 



* For locality, see map with " Expedition to Islands of Bass Strait." 



