226 WHITE, }[ost li.vtcnsizr Onntholoc/ical Tour W^stf^!" 



Shrike, Red-rumped Kingfisher, Restless Fantail {Seisura in- 

 qiiieta). A pair of AustraHan Cranes (Antigone ruhicunda) set- 

 tled close to us, and took little or no notice of our presence. 

 Tuesday, May 30th, we left camp early, and were soon in trouble 

 with the high grass ; by 10.30 a.m. we had reached a very rocky 

 ridge, and, climbing over it, descended into the valley, where 

 Powell Creek Telegraph Station is situated 119 miles from Ten- 

 nant's Creek and 1619 miles from Adelaide. This is a charming 

 spot, and should be a great place for birds, the country being 

 diversified — a fine well timbered range with plains on either side. 

 I regretted much not ha\'ing a chance to s])en(l time here, 

 here. Many tropical trees and plants have been ])lanted close 

 to the station, and are doing well. We left at 1.30 p.m., and 

 passed through low scrul), long grass, and anthills. The small 

 pale form of the Rufous-breasted Whistler ( Pachyccphala riifi- 

 ventris) was met with. At 13 miles from Powell Creek, Cuckoo 

 Shrikes and Rufous-breasted Whistlers were seen. From a very 

 rocky mountain ridge (along which we had to find our way). 

 Lake Woods, a vast sheet of water) was sighted to the west. 

 After descending to lower ground several fine reaches of water 

 were found in the creeks and beautiful timber, with vast grassy 

 plains to the west. IMack-faced Wood Swallows were numerous. 

 We camped on the edge of the great grassy plain. The night 

 temperature was mild (57 deg. F. ^ Alany water-birds were 

 travelling during the darkness (for we were in close proximity 

 to the great storm waters). Amongst them could be distinguished 

 the Pied Gee.se {Anscranas scinipohuata). r)irds seen round the 

 camp in the morning were: Chestnut-eared Finches, Black-faced 

 W^ood-Swallows, Diamond Doves, Red-breasted T'abblers (Ponia- 

 tostoinns rnhecnlus), Pied Rutcher-Birds, Bustards, Fairy Mar- 

 tins (HylocJielidon arid), Red-br(^wed Pardalotes. and Galahs: 

 Leaving camp we crossed a great plain of \va\ ing grass. 



W^e were now approaching the flooded areas, and when we 

 came in sight of the waters thousands of Pelicans, Cormorants, 

 and other water-birds were seen. Bustards came cpiite close to 

 the cars or allowed us t(j pass them by at a distance of a few 

 feet. I'irds were numerous, including I'rown Hawks, Whistling 

 Eagles, AVhite Cockatoos, Wliite-necked Heron (Xotoplioyx 

 pacifica), Red-browed. Pardalote, Rufous-breasted Whistler, 

 Black-faced Wood-Swallow, Brown Song-Lark, Quarrions. or 

 Cockatoo-Parrots. Red-kneed Dotterels {Eryihrmjonys ductus), 

 and Black-fronted Dotterels {Charadrius nidanops). In the- 

 afternoon we reached the edge of the fast-running flood waters 

 at Newcastle Waters, and had to i)ull the cars through water 

 7 to S feet deep and 150 yards wide by means of a rope passed 

 through a pulley-block (rn the oj)posite side and brought back and 

 fastened on to one of the cars. No. 1, having a winding gear. 

 jHilled the other two over. It was dark by the time two cars 

 were over, and we had to leave the one which did the pulling till 



