60 Mr. A. TI. Evans: with the [Ibis, 



the Wood-Duck (Chenonetta juhata) seen from the train, 

 wlien I was vainly looking out for Emus on the journey 

 through the Emu Plains, and the Sacred Kingfislier 

 [Halcyon sanctus) in the outskirts of Brisbane itself. I made 

 the acquaintance of Dr. Hamlyn Harris at the Museum, 

 and inspected the fine collection of birds under the guidance 

 of his head-assistant, but was unable to accept his tempting 

 proposal to visit the neighbouring ranges in search of 

 Pittas, Bronze-wing Pigeons, and other scarce species. 

 During my short stay I was most hospitably entertained 

 by the Hon. A. J. Carter and his family, who added to 

 their kindness by looking after my wife till her ship started 

 for the Malay States. On account of ihe War, the Home 

 Government had taken over many of the Austi-alian- 

 liners, and their action gave me a further ten days in 

 the country. 



Consequently I telegraphed to accept a provisional invi- 

 tation of the Cains to visit their son William's station up' 

 the Murray River, and to arrange, if possible, for a couple 

 of days in Gippsland. The latter was made possible by the 

 skilful management of Robert Cain and Mr. C. L. Barrett 

 of Melbourne, wlio sent me with an introduction to Mr. L. 

 C. Cook of Holbrook, near Poowong, mcII known for his- 

 writings, publislied in ' The Emu,' on the Lyre-Bird and 

 other uncommon denizens of the scrub. My most cordial 

 thanks are due to all these friends for the way in which they 

 met my wishes, cared for me at Melbourne, or guided me 

 over the districts in which they resided. 



I left the capital for Echuca on the afternoon of 

 b'eptember 2, and spent the night at tliat small town, while 

 in the morning 1 liad ample time to investigate a grove on 

 the nearest part of the river. It contained several Honey- 

 eaters and Parrots that I had met with previously, and I 

 watched for an hour some birds, which I failed to identify 

 with certainty, flitting about the tops of the highest gum- 

 trees. I took them to be Bell -Miners {Manorhina 

 melanophnjs). There was no doubt, however, about the 

 Noisy Miner (Mt/tantha (jarrula), though I only noticed 



