THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. - 173 



doubt suggested the name " Babel" to the explorer Flinders. 

 Wallaby and snakes abound in the scrub, and Mutton Birds on 

 the grassed or east end, while the rocky battlements are adorned 

 with pig-face weed and other climbing plants which hang over in 

 graceful garlands. Here we found two half-castes, who had 

 come round a few days before to Wallaby hunt and take Mutton 

 Birds and eggs. It was through their making a " bit of a smoke," 

 as the islanders call the signal on shore, that we were able to 

 steer for the cove, which was almost hidden from our view, so 

 snug was its situation. A hasty tea and a climb up the Babel-like 

 tower was the order before turning in for the night. We were 

 soon fast asleep, only however to be turned out at 3 a.m. 



2 1ST November. — The wind had changed and was blowing 

 right into the cove, so that there was nothing for it but to kedge 

 the boat out far enough to get an offing, when we set sail again 

 for Storehouse Island, anchoring within 100 yards of the 

 Cormorant Rookery. While having breakfast we were deeply 

 interested with the movements of these birds. Landing, we soon 

 got to work. Our sportsman bagging a brace of Swamp Quail ; 

 and our leader taking a long tramp round the island, when he 

 returned he found the artists had finished photographing and re- 

 cording observations of the rookery. The birds in this instance 

 did not allow us to drive them off the nests, but went without 

 asking. We did not linger here, as the noise of the young ones 

 was unpleasant, while the pungent ammoniacal aroma of the live 

 guano was still more unpleasant. The nests were built of herbage 

 and seaweed, and in some instances were skilfully placed on 

 shelving rocks. The full clutch of eggs numbers three. They 

 vary much in size, as you will see in the exhibit this evening. On 

 our leaving the rookery the old birds soon joined their young. 

 I fancy they had a difficulty in sorting them, as the litde things 

 had huddled together in bunches of about six or eight. We again 

 landed on Cat Island, as the weather was favourable, to pay a 

 farewell visit to the Gannets, and to take a few more photographs 

 under more favourable conditions as to weather. It was a 

 special treat, in an ironical sense, going and coming from the 

 rookery. The greater part of the island was a network of Mutton 

 Bird holes, and into these we sank at frequent intervals, some- 

 times losing our balaiice in a most ludicrous way, and disturbing 

 the Penguins who had taken possession, and who set up a hideous 

 squawking as a mild protest against our disturbing their homes. 

 We were informed that the Penguins had caused the Mutton 

 Birds to desert this island altogether. Quail were in abundance 

 on both islands, but, although our sportsman shot several, only 

 a (ew could be found, owing to the dense tussocky grass that 

 abounded, and, not having a dog, he soon ceased his sport. 

 After collecting some Polyzoa we hurried on board, as the wind 



