ii6 



Fletcher, Nesluig of the Bhick Cormorant. 



U 



head of the race, where the boat was moored. Turning our horses 

 loose, we scrambled into the boat and prepared for the exciting 

 part of our trip. For three-quarters of a mile we had to pole the 

 boat against the fairly swift-running current of the race. None 

 of our party of four could pole, though we could manage rowing, 

 and so the voyage up the race was rather exciting, though at 

 times it seemed as if the current would win. However, we 

 conquered, and with great relief the open lagoon was reached. 



Black Cormorant's Nest. 



FLETCHEB 



Through a tangle of water weeds and past stunted tea-tree and 

 clumps of reeds and rushes we found our way into the river, 

 which, owing to a " fresh " coming down, was flowing fairly 

 swiftly, in spite of the fact that for many acres it overflows its 

 banks through a region of dead and living tea-tree. At this 

 stretch the river was 14 feet deep, and four persons in a small 

 boat had to be very careful in movement for fear of capsizing. 



Great was our delight when, after rowing a few yards up the 

 river, we saw the large nest of the Black Cormorant standing 



