142 MORGAN — Ornithological Trip, St. Vincent and Spencer Gulfs. 



to Pondalowie Bay, at the foot of Yorke's Peninsula. A day 

 ■was spent here in the scrub of the mainland and on two of the 

 small islands fronting the bay. 



On January 6th we made over to Gambier and Wedge 

 Islands, anchoring under the lee of the former, but a change 

 of wind forced us to quit hurriedly, and make for the shelter 

 of the Wedge. We were not subsequently able to make a 

 landing on Gambier, which was regrettable, as mutton birds 

 and possibly other petrels nest there. Wedge Island is about 

 .. 3-J miles long, rising from sea level at the north end to about 

 TOO feet at the south end, which is a perpendicular cliff. It 

 is inhabited by two brothers, Messrs. A. and W. J. Golley, 

 both intelligent and accurate observers, who take an interest 

 in the natural history of their island. They supplied us with 

 much information concerning its bird life. On the afternoon 

 of the 7th January we returned to Pondalowie Bay, and next 

 day made a 60-miles run to Troubridge Island, where a few 

 hours were spent on shore. Troubridge Island has had a 

 .lighthouse on it since 1855. Mr. Arthur Searcy (ChairmaB 

 of the Harbours Board) has courteously informed me that in 

 1865 the island was reduced to 370 yards in length owing to 

 severe gales shifting the sand. It has been growing slowly 

 ever since, and is now 833 yards long by 292 yards broad. It 

 is covered with scrub and sea grasses. On January 9th a good 

 run, with a fair wind, to Port Adelaide, terminated a 

 most enjoyable and instructive outing. Birds observed: — 



1. Dromiecius novachollandiae — Emu. — Fresh droppings 

 and feathers at Pondalowie Bay. 



2. Eudypttila minor undina — Little Penguin. — Seen at the 

 Spit, Little Althorpe Island, Big Althorpe Island, Pondalowie 

 Bay, and Wedge Island. 



All were moulting. No nests were found. These birds 

 ascend the cliff of the big Althorpe Island up to 250 feet from 

 the sea. They probably climb up the steep pathway, which 

 has been made of recent years. The cliff is so steep that it 

 had formerly to be ascended by a ladder. They also were 

 found on the top of one of the Pondalowie Bay Islands, the 

 sides of which are so steep and rugged that Capit. White and I 

 Siad some difficulty in getting to the top at the easiest place we 

 could find. The iris is grey, with a lighter ring round the 

 pupil. These birds make a most dismal noise at night. At 

 Wedge Island it sounded like the cries of babies in pain. The 

 temperature of two were taken. No. 1, 108.8° F. ; No. 2, 



