THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 171 



ing reef. We went ashore for water at what is locally known as the 

 Yellow Beach. Two of the party explored inland and described 

 the country as much resembling some parts of King's Island — 

 everlasting scrub and here and there swamps. Finally anchoring 

 for the night near some rocks in Opossum Harbour, as we had 

 a few hours to spare before dark we landed on the rocks, where 

 we found eggs of several sea birds, including the Fairy Penguin. 



19TH November. — Early morning found us on our way to 

 Babel Island, a distance now of twenty miles. Now again our 

 troubles commenced. The little wind we had at the start soon died 

 away to zephyr breezes, but not before we got out of the Sound 

 and over three miles of shifting sand-banks, which are very 

 dangerous, and sometimes build up a most unpleasant rip. The 

 remaining portion of the day was spent on the bosom of an 

 ocean swell, sometimes making a little headway, meals under 

 difficulties, some scientists squeamish, crockery wandering on 

 deck, raining, and Captain Holt not swearuig — very nearly 

 though. But, in spite of all, Babel Island was reached about 

 6 p.m., where we anchored, between Cat and Storehouse Island. 

 Supperless, we retired early to bed. A low barometer made Mr. 

 Holt very anxious, because we were lying in a very exposed 

 position ; moreover, with the stiff westerly breeze the cutter 

 tugged and plunged at her cable all the live-long night. 



20TH November. — At daybreak 1 was called by Mr. Holt, to 

 find the boat swinging by two cables and the wind blowing half a 

 gale, but fortunately not from the dreaded quarter — viz., the east. 

 I took watch so as to allow Mr. Holt to have a rest, he having 

 been up all night. Soon after breakfast we had a consultation, 

 as we were very dubious of landing, on account of the high sea 

 running. To make matters still more annoying, we could see 

 the Cormorant rookery on Storehouse Island, and the Gannet 

 rookery on Cat Island, in full swing. This latter we had risked 

 ail and ventured so far to see. But our anxiety was soon set at 

 rest by Mr. Holt, who, with our willing assistance, heaved up the 

 anchors and sailed under the staysail to what turned out to be a 

 more sheltered spot nearer Cat Island. We landed with some 

 difficulty per dingy at lo a.m., and soon found our way to the 

 Gannet rookery. Here all our troubles and seasick qualms were 

 .soon forgotten and amply repaid by the wonderful sight which 

 stood revealed before us. We found bttween 2,400 and 2,600 

 birds (roughly estimated by measuring) seated in the locality on 

 their nests. The birds were in no wise put out by our presence, 

 and we photographed to our hearts' content. The nests were 

 built on slightly raised mounds of clay and a good admixture of 

 guano, of which the place smelt strongly, and were composed of 

 twigs, algse, and polyzoa. Each nest contained one egg only, 

 and not two as stated by some authors. Hovering over the 



