' The Bird-Trappers of the Riverina. 47 



behind, was more trying even than heat or persistent ilies. 

 Hour after hour of weary travel, relieved b.y the sight of un- 

 familiar birds. Among the star-thistles I saw the lovely 

 Crimson-breasted Chat; Song- Larks kept rising from pools of 

 shade by fence-posts, and Wood-Swallows were numerous 

 everywhere. 



Wc were grateful when the day's joiirney ended in a 

 timbered paddock, v.licre the branches of old gum-trees llung 

 purple shadows on the parched ground. Our camping siiot 

 was near a farmhouse, and it was not long ere we recei\ed 

 visitors. To the question, '"Any Calahs about?" the answer 

 came, " Plenty over in the crops." But the trappers did not 

 begin the work of setting nets until night. 



There was only misty moonlight, and the men, working 

 at the nets appeared as flitting shadows; but I could hear the 

 tapping of mallets on iron stakes, and subdued voice.-^. The 

 effect was weird. Far off, a light in camp glimmered no 

 bigger than a fireily on the sight ; leaves rustled faintly in 

 the night wind. Returning to the waggon, we smoked (for 

 a while, and then lay down. Mosquitoes and other insects 

 did their best to keep us wakeful, but before midnight we 

 were sleeping. 



It was still dark when I awoke, to hear my companions 

 moving about quietly. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I 

 joined them, and together we hurried to the crop paddock, 

 where the nets had been set overnight. Behind one of the 

 shelters from which the nets are operated, with two other 

 watcher.1 I awaited dawn and the coming of the Galahs. An 

 hour passed uneventfully, and the cramped position behind 

 the bag-screen was becoming irksome. But no sooner did 

 the eastern sky flush rose-pink— the colour of the galaJi's 

 breast—than the birds began to appear. In twos ami threes 

 at flrsl they came, flying swiftly from the trees .ilong the 

 creek, ther- in flocks of thirty or forty. The air was full of Coca- 

 toob. It was wonderful to see thi> assembling over the wheat 

 of a host of beatitiful bird;. As they wheeled and dived, 

 the sunlight, feeble as yet, shone softly on gre> and rose- 

 tinged ijlujnage. Once or twice, some magical tuiK h ol the 

 bun transfonned a bird into a living form of sdvcr, 



