134 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



many parts. The feathered inhabitants now become alarmed at 

 our presence. A pair of Sooty Oyster-catchers leave their nest 

 with shrieking calls. Pacific Gulls, which were gracefully posed 

 upon pinnacles of jagged rock on our left, are now circling on 

 high with hoarse bark-like notes ; others are just quitting nests on 

 rocky ledges adorned with the white-flowering pig-face weed. 

 Except the trusty Norseman and his son, who remain to keep the 

 boat off the rocks, one by one we all spring ashore as the swell 

 offers opportunity. Our first revelation is the discovery of that 

 charming little sea-wanderer, the Dove-like Blue Petrel, breeding 

 in numbers in the crevices of rock or under the matted roots of pig- 

 face weed. Then the young, nearly feathered, of the little Diving 

 Petrel is secured, and appears to have been hatched about Sep- 

 tember. Of course we find penguins, and on the top of the island 

 amongst the coarse herbage, which is knee deep, and in burrows, 

 are countless Mutton Birds or Short-tailed Petrels, mostly sitting 

 upon newly laid eggs. The eggs proved of extreme utility for 

 camp purposes. By this time at a particular point of the island 

 a pair of Bleak-cheeked Falcons fly round over head with angry 

 cries. None of us dare attempt to gain their eyrie except our 

 leader, who has to forge a part of his way in a horizontal position 

 on account of the dangerous ledges of rock. The birds are not 

 slow to take advantage of his defenceless position, and boldly 

 attack him in the rear. When the nest is reached, lo ! it only 

 contains fledglings in white down. 



We look towards the main (Deal) island, distant about two miles, 

 and behold a grand picture. An easterly wind has brought up 

 clouds, which are gathering about and enveloping the hill-caps 

 in a most picturesque manner. A change of weather is imminent, 

 and as the barometer has been tumbling down for the last twenty- 

 four hours we deem it prudent to return to camp, dredging by 

 the way. Shortly after 4 o'clock, loaded with the spoils of the 

 day, we arrive safely under canvas just as the rain begins to 

 descend. 



Here follows the list of birds identified : — 



(Note. — All species common to Victoria and Tasmania except when indicated 

 to the contrary. * Eggs obtained, t Skins seen.) 



Circus approximans, Bonap. ... Allied Harrier 



*Astur approximans, Vigors and 



Horsf. ... ... Goshawk 



fAccipiter cirrhocephalus, 



Vieillot ... ... Sparrowhawk 



Halisetus leucogaster, Gmelin White-bellied Sea Eagle 



Falco melanogenys, Gould ... Black-cheeked Falcon 



f Hieracidea orientalis, Schlegel Brown Hawk 



