Ijat THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST 
as it does, but a narrow slip of vertical or cverhanging cliff, and 
watered by the spray of the tumultuous waves. Surely here is one 
of the most remarkable of the phenomena of distribution, the 
conditions of life so restricting, yet the plant so widely spread. 
We collected vigorously during our scanty time on the shore of 
the lighthouse peninsula, and also whenever opportunity presented 
elsewhere during our expedition. The most interesting among the 
Mollusca was WNatica Incez, which has not been found on the 
Victorian coast before, though recorded from New South Wales. 
Triton cutaceus, (if we may trust Mr. Tenison- Wood's identification 
of the European species with our own), Donax deltocdalis, Cassidaria 
undulata, and the more common open sea forms were collected. 
The Donaxz.was persecuted alike by the Vaticas and by a multitude 
of sea-birds. the number of shells bored or broken across being 
extraordinary. At the crossing of Serew Creek, Ophiocardelus 
corneus, and Ampuliarina fragilis, (probably a less robust estuarine 
form of A. Quoyl), were seen in great numbers. Several star—fish 
were obtained, some not yet described, one of which Prof. MeCoy 
informs me is in the hands of Prof. Agassiz. 
In conclusion, we may safely commend the Promontory as full of 
interest to naturalists of all persuasions. Practically inaccessible 
as it is at present, we believe that a future yet awaits it as a 
summer haunt of lovers of nature, lovers of scenery. In many 
respects alike, we prophecy that as the Cornish Peninsula was late to 
be discovered by tourists, not many generations will pass before 
means of communication will enable Victorians to find out and do 
justice to this noble granite Promontory, the Cornwall of Victoria. 
NOTES ON THE HABITS OF NATIVE BIRDS. 
By I. Barry, Sunspury. 
(Read before the Field Naturalists’ Clubof Victoria, Jan. 18th, 1886) 
Part 2. Cockatroos ann Magepirs. 
Cocxatoos having once learned what a gun can do, show talent 
of a high order when ravaging a newly sown grain paddock. From 
their mode of conducting operations, they seem to possess a 
reasoning faculty rather than common instinct. When feeding, 
several sentries are posted so advantageously, that it is almost an 
inpossibility for the cleverest sneaker to get within shot of the 
flock. The vigilance of the sentries is truly surprising, for if 
