held these plates are now in the Perth Museum, the original site deing now fenced off and marked by fresh posts and plates.
The ornithological history of Shark Bay, however, does not commence until the arrival of the French corvette Uranie, commanded by M. de Freycinet, which sighted Edel's Land (to the south) on 11th September, 1818, after a voyage of 45 days from the Isle de Bourbon. This French scientific expedition left Toulon on 17th September, 1817, but the Uranie, before reaching home again, unfortunately struck a rock whilst attempting to enter "French Bay," in the Falkland Islands on 13th February, 1820. She appears to have been beached, however, in time to prevent absolute foundering, but much material of scientific value was either totally lost or badly damaged by water. One can readily sympathize with Mons. Arago, who wrote an account of the voyage, and who was draughtsman to the expedition, when he states:—"She was run ashore in a sinking condition … She fell over on the starboard side, and my cabin was under water … rare birds and curious reptiles … ten portfolios of sketches and finished drawings … all, all were engulphed." Captain Freycinet appears to have visited Shark Bay previously with an expedition under Captain Baudin. This navigator visited the west and north-west coasts of Australia about the year 1809. There was no professed naturalist on board the Uranie. Messrs. Quoy and Gaimard were the surgeons to the expedition—"neither being naturalists by profession." On arrival the vessel was anchored "two leagues from the shore, off Cape Levillain (north-east point of Dirk Hartog), in eleven fathoms. Prodigious numbers of whales sporting about … Before we weighed anchor again, a boat under the command of M. Fabre, in which were Messrs. Quoy, Ferrand, and young Taunay … leaving us to pursue our way to the peninsula of Peron, where it was to join us, made for the island of Irck Hatighs to begin their observations … At six o'clock we anchored in Dampier's Bay[1] … near Cape Le Sueur" (Péron).
It will thus be seen that it is to Quoy alone that we owe the first information as to the birds found on Dirk Hartog Island. Gaimard landed on Peron the following day, and with a companion caused much anxiety through getting bushed and only turning up at the camp on shore two days later, in a very exhausted state. The expedition remained in Shark Bay a fortnight. The Uranie sailed again 26th September.
Dirk Hartog was not visited again by a naturalist until one lumdred years later, when Mr. Thos. Carter landed on the island, 25th April, 1916. He did not remain there, however, during the breeding season, being absent during June, July, August, and the greater part of Septemlier. He returned at the end of the latter month and remained during November. An interesting account of his visit will be found in I'hc Il)is for October, 1917.
- ↑ Dampier landed in Shark Bay 5th August, 1699, and gave it its name.
