1 68 Mellor, The A.O.U. in Tasmania. [i/^Aprii 



busily tearing away the dead bark in strips to get at the grubs 

 that hve on the wood. These birds were seen on several 

 previous occasions, but were flying high above the trees, and 

 were decidedly wild in their habits, not allowing one to get 

 within shot of them. Higher up the mountain smaller birds 

 were met with, such as the Flame-breasted Robin and the 

 Crescent Honey-eater, but as one pushed on up the rocky 

 heights even these at length disappeared, and the aspect was 

 solitary indeed, with little or no vegetation, the rocks bare and 

 weather-worn with the gales of centuries. The summit was 

 reached at 2 p.m. There I was surprised to find four ladies and 

 a gentleman who had just completed the ascent. There, at an 

 altitude of close on 4,000 feet above the sea level we viewed the 

 splendid panorama that opened out on every side, and were 

 exceedingly glad to rest after the heat and toil of climbing the 

 rugged slopes. But the heat did not continue long, for, in a 

 short time, a grey mist sprang up from the south, and with a 

 freshening breeze the summit was soon enveloped. Within a 

 comparatively short time the mist had changed to snow, which 

 settled down thick and fast and covered all trace of tracks, 

 making it impossible to be sure of one's foothold, as rocks and 

 crevices and low bushes appeared alike to the eye. Things 

 began to look serious, but by dint of perseverance and hard 

 work we steadily pushed on, and although wet and drabbled 

 from head to toe, and sore from bruises sustained from the falls 

 on the slippery rocks, the party were soon safe on the track. 

 Our freezing limbs and fingers were made to tingle with warmth 

 by the exercise of a little friendly snowballing. The descent of 

 the mountain was finally accomplished, and right glad we were 

 to partake of a cup of good warm tea and get round the log fire 

 which waited our return. 



The Great Lake District. 



It was my privilege to be able to pay a visit to the Great 

 Lake district, which is situated on the top of the Western Tiers 

 at an elevation of nearly 4,000 feet above the sea-level, a 

 locality that has not been opened up to the traveller until quite 

 recently, consequently of more than ordinary interest to the 

 naturalist, as nature is practically undisturbed. Not having a 

 companion of like tastes, I had perforce to travel alone. Taking 

 train from Launccston to Longford, I took coach the same 

 evening for Cressy, where shelter for the night was obtained. 

 Inquiries soon elicited a favourable reply that access to the 

 " great unknown " could within the next day or two be an ac- 

 complished fact, as my host would be starting away next 

 morning with a visitor from Ceylon on a fishing tour to the 

 Great Lake. Arrangements were soon made for me to join the 



