260 WHITLOCK. Trip to Fortescnc River [Tst^ApT 



(Ptcrodronia lessoiii), and a few petrels of dark plumage and 

 smaller dimensions. The steamer, however, ran close to Xorth 

 Sandy Island, in the Dampier Group, and with the aid of my 

 field-glass I could make out a pair of Sea-Eagles, whose 

 acquaintance I had made some three years previously. 



A short run by train took me to Roebourne, and on 25th July 

 I travelled by motor to the Fortescue River, distant some eighty- 

 five miles. The journey was more interesting as a motoring 

 experience than from an ornithological point of view, as one 

 attains a height of 1480 feet in a journey of a very few miles. 

 This altitude is reached on what is known as the Tableland — 

 an elevated tract of country which rises abruptly from the 

 low-lying plains to the south of Roebourne. The most inter- 

 esting bird observed was a single example of the Black Kite 

 (Mihus Diigrons), which rose from the ground on being dis- 

 turbed by the motor. The general appearance of the tableland is 

 barren and treeless, the surface being covered as a rule with 

 a spar.se growth of Spinifex (Triodia), but the rocky hills and 

 steep gullies around and across which the road twists and 

 turns, and the extensive views of the plain below are picturesque 

 in the extreme. 



I reached the Fortescue River about 4 p.m., and decided to 

 camp within view of Mill Stream homestead on the south side. 

 The river was running freely, but the flow of water was divided 

 into four or five streams. I chose a pitch on an elevated part 

 of the river bank, out of the reach of a possible flood, and shel- 

 tered by several River Gums {Bucalypius rostrata). Near at 

 hand were three fine specimens of a species of fan-palm that 

 I had never previously met with in the north-west. 



On the margin of the river was a fairly thick fringe of reeds 

 and other aquatic vegetation, whilst Cajuputs (Melaleuca leitco- 

 dendron), River Gums, and trees of smaller species were abun- 

 dant on the various gravel banks and more elevated portions 

 of the river bed. The surface of the ground was thickly car- 

 peted with couch grass. My camp was sheltered from the 

 strong east winds which often prevail in these latitudes by a 

 steep flat-topped hill, the side of which, facing the river was 

 almost preci[)itous, and much encumbe»-ed by fallen debris from 

 above. 



The night proved to be very cold, and I was glad when the 

 notes of Meliphatja carteri, Stupnatops itidistincta, and .Icroee- 

 plKilus loiif/irostris ( W^estcrn Reed Warbler), warned mc that 

 it was sunrise. Whilst erecting a camp I was visited by two 

 parties of Purple-backed Wrens (Malurus assiniilis), the males 

 being in full nui)tial plumage. In no part of this State I have 

 visited, have I seen this species so common. I afterwards 

 found it was jncsent in most unlooked-for places, where cover, 

 which the Maluri favor, was conspicuous by its absence. 



