266 " Down Mario Way." [,J 



Emu 



April 



shallows. Further inland is the wonderful system of backwater, 

 river, and lagoon. The junction of the Snowy and Brodribb 

 Rivers, Stirling's Lagoon and Shag Creek, the islands that gem 

 the waters. Lakes Corringle, Watt-watt, and Curlip, the intake 

 of the Cabbage-tree Creek, and the nine-mile limit of the tidal 

 influence, are all brought under subjection. One is lost in 

 wonder at Nature's prodigality, and when the glorious sunsets 

 that so frequently occur add their charm to the scene it is felt 

 that here indeed is the abode of peace. 



In the gullies among the dunes the first bird seen was the Pilot- 

 Bird {Pycnoptilus floccosiis), running under the fallen tea-tree 

 {Leptospermum Icevigatum) and currant-bush [Styphelia richei). 

 Its note differed somewhat from that of the Ferntree Gully ])ird. 

 The Coachwhip-Bird was also in evidence here as well as in the 

 bracken close to the township. Along the dunes the silvery- 

 foliaged white everlasting [Helichrysmn leucopsidiwn) was found 

 in patches, and lower down the flesh^'-leaved yellow aster [Senecio 

 spathidatus) graced the surroundings. 



Mario is the place par excellence for studying the conditions 

 which produce these immense piles of drifting sand. Such is the 

 influence of the wind and tides, especially after a hard blow or 

 spell of stormy weather, that frequently the whole foreshore 

 undergoes a change. At one place on the Ninety-Mile Beach 

 a small stream of fresh water ran trickling to the sea ; but in less 

 than a fortnight a big blow not only piled up the drifting sand, 

 but completely blocked the waterway to a height of 20 feet, and 

 dammed back the water for a distance of 200 yards. When we 

 were there a pair of Teal, a Black Duck, and a Cormorant were 

 already disporting themselves in the pool. 



The mouth of the Snowy River itself is altered in the same way. 

 When the sand blocks the entrance (as it did in 1910), the river 

 rises and the water overflows the banks ; following the line of 

 least resistance, it created a new entrance almost opposite to 

 Mario. The old course of the river to the eastward remains as a 

 fine backwater, extending between the cliffs and the sand- 

 hills for nearly 5 miles, almost to the rocky Point Ricardo, with 

 an average width of 200 yards. Here and there along the sand 

 tea-tree, currant-bush, and cushion-bush have established them- 

 selves, and marram-grass is fulfilhng its function of binding up 

 the drifts. 



On the points and headlands of these sands great numbers 

 of water-loving birds assemble. Hooded and Red-capped 

 Dottrels and Pied Oyster-catchers patrol them ; every submerged 

 bank has its quota of Black Duck and Teal ; Cormorants and 

 Darters ply ceaselessly to and fro, and Gulls and Terns circle 

 overhead. Curlews cry plaintively along the muddy margins of 

 the river, the barking of the Little Penguin is heard further out, 

 and at dusk long lines of Black Swan " honk " their way to their 

 feeding-grounds. The presence of Darters {Plotiis novcB-hollandicc) 

 is specially worthy of remark. These strange birds, with their 



