I j4- Aiistt'cilasiaii Ornithologists' Viiion. fist Ian 



excursions. It is always noticed that the vegetation of the sea- 

 board differs from that of the interior. In the limestone area 

 plants were found on the cliff faces which did not occur 400 

 yards inland. On the sand dunes near the river mouth species 

 were observed that belonged strictly to the littoral. So here, 

 sugar gums on the ridges and hillsides, with a species of broad- 

 leafed acacia {^A. do do nee if olio) in the richer pockets, charac- 

 terised the seaward slopes of these slaty hills. But there are 

 other influences at work. The gradual change was noticed on 

 the trip to Western River. 



This trip occupied a whole day, for this river, the next in 

 importance on the north coast after the Middle River, is some 

 nine miles distant. The track, presumably to escape rugged 

 country, makes a detour inland, and between two and three 

 miles from camp the sugar gums give place to stringybarks 

 {Eucalyptus capitdlatd). These are poorer and less thick in com- 

 parison, so there is an abundance of under-scrub. Dwarf Casua- 

 rina, Hakca, Banksia, matted together in parts with the native 

 dodder vine {Cassytha), shelter many varieties of smaller plants, 

 among which are several like those observed in the open area east 

 of Middle River, notably Boronia, with its pink flowers, and the 

 curious hopooon. New genera, however, appeared in the yellow- 

 cupped Hibbei'tias, the bright pink TetratJieca, and brown and 

 gold pea flowers {Pultemea and Dilhuynid). Grass-trees flourish 

 on the poorer hilltops. The track leads up and down, mostly 

 along stony ridges, but occasionally into a deep valley, with a 

 running creek embowered in the rough weeping grass {Cladmvi) 

 and the taller scrub so common in such places. But sugar 

 gums again appear as the coast is approached, and after passing 

 through fine belts of several miles in length, an abrupt descent 

 is made to the valley of the Western River. The party was 

 welcomed by Mrs. Sheridan, and rested before making the 

 return journey. 



The river flats, though restricted in area, appear very rich, and 

 even the stony hillsides, when cleared, carry a fine pasture. The 

 summer must indeed be humid. It was interesting to see here 

 several beautiful flowering plants which were not discovered on 

 the Middle River {HelicJtrysiini Inciduni, Solanuni simile, and 

 Lavatera plebeid). It is difficult to account for their restricted 

 habitat. We were shown a fine piece of precious tourmaline 

 picked up in the river bed. Profitable deposits of this gem stone 

 may some day be found. Mrs. Sheridan has a Magpie in cap- 

 tivity, got on the island, which has a distinct black band on its 

 back, but this was the only bird observed with that character. 

 We were able to photograph a sugar gum where a Leach 

 Cockatoo {CalyptorliyncJius viridis) had nested last autumn, 

 and discovered that it was now occupied by a Boobook Owl. 

 The Western River cove is very similar to, but much smaller 

 than, that of Middle River. 



