lA White, Birch of Lake Victoria and Murray River. [j^f "juiy 



and, reaching a sharp bend in the river, a high bank was seen, 

 and here we pulled in for the night. A White-throated Nightjar 

 was disturbed from the bend of a tree as we landed, and Boobook 

 Owls were calling during the night. 



Next morning the writer had some specimens to cure, and while 

 this was being done Dr. Morgan went off into the scrub, where he 

 discovered a Spiny-cheeked Honey-eater's nest. Striking camp 

 at mid-day, we proceeded down stream. We made several 

 attempts to get into a large swamp, into which the water was 

 rushing with great speed. After being nearly capsized once or 

 twice, we had to give it up, but made high land at the far end of 

 the swamp by dark, where we pitched our camp. After breakfast 

 next morning we took a boat, and made out on to the big lignum 

 swamp, which was covered in 12 to 14 feet of water ; only the 

 very tops of the highest lignum bushes were showing above the 

 flood waters. We pulled in amongst some fine red gum trees, 

 which evidently marked the bank of a creek. Amongst these trees 

 were many hollow limbs, and all these had been selected by Grey 

 Teal and Black Duck as nesting-places. After examining many 

 nests, and watching the birds coming and going from the holes in 

 the trees, we pulled out into the swamp again. Coot and Moor- 

 Hen were plentiful, and here and there a stately old Musk-Duck 

 would sail away amongst the bushes. In one place where we landed 

 a great number of Native-Hens were running about. The 

 morning was spent searching over the swamp. Several Australian 

 Coots' and Moor-Hens' nests were seen, all containing eggs. 

 Many nests of the Little Grass-Bird came under notice, Bald-Coot 

 feathers neatly roofing them in. Once or twice we saw the nest 

 of the Reed- Warbler. Pulling up to the hollow spout of a gum- 

 tree, and looking in, on the bare wood lay the eggs of the Great 

 Brown Kingfisher, or Laughing Jackass. Returned to the camp 

 for lunch, after which my friend and I made out-back from the 

 river to see what bird-life the mallee contained. The first bird 

 we saw was the Black-breasted Song-Lark, and a nest of this bird 

 was discovered shortly afterwards, placed in a depression in the 

 ground, close to a tussock of grass ; it was neatly lined with grass 

 stems and rootlets, and there were three eggs, with the usual 

 beautiful pink mottlings. We met with a flock of Cockatoo- 

 Parrots ; great numbers of Shell Parrots had congregated to nest 

 in the mallee. We also saw several Many-coloured Parrots. The 

 Yellow-throated Miner made its presence known by its loud call. 

 We were much surprised to find the Eastern Ground Cuckoo- 

 Shrike, for neither of us expected to find this rather rare bird in 

 that locality ; only one specimen was seen. Mallee-Parrots and 

 Grass-Parrots were very numerous. On our return journey we 

 saw several fine Harriers sweeping over the long grass. The sun 

 was sinking when we reached camp. After tea, specimens had to 

 be preserved, and then to bed. 



One of the most prominent features of the night sounds during 

 our trip through the flooded country was the frog concerts. The 



