colour, - th 6 ^~wxjr 0 ^^e©l“>blue, rK)t^^rx>Tra~one--uin<>ng'' 
them* 
There being 
little food for them they cannot increase to any 
extent, and many die when they become too numerous 
for the land to support. The ground, especially 
towards the southern end, is riddled with burrows of 
rabbits and mutton birds. The latter return to the 
island in hundreds every evening together with other 
sea birds that make their homes on the cliffs. 
Vegetation consists chiefly of cutting-grass, 
pig-face, burrs, epacris, and ferns t On the top 
at the northern end there are a few gums and 
wattles. Walking, at this time of year (March) 
is made uncomfortable by the burrs which cling in 
huge bunches, to ones trousers and also worked 
their way underneath. 
We had been v/arnod to 
look out for snakes, 
but though we searched 
under boulders and 
tussocks of grass for 
other specimens and saw 
some lizards, not a 
snake showed itself. 
After walking from 
one end of the island 
to the other, stumbling 
into burrows, trudging 
through deep sand and 
climbing steep hills, 
we decided it was time 
to return as the wind 
was rising and embarka¬ 
tion might bo difficult,. 
Arriving at the landing place about 3 p.ra. we were 
rowed back to the vessel. During our absence H.E. 
The Governor had cruised around the island and caught 
many flathead and a 6 or 7 lbs. couta. Betsy Island 
is about 2 miles long by one wide, bleak and inhos¬ 
pitable. The general opinion was that it would not 
be of much use except as a sanctuary for birds. At 
some time or other sheep had been pastured on the 
island but how they found sufficient food to keep 
themselves alive is a mystery, and there is no 
fresh water. 
