I<6 White, Trip to Northern End of Flinders Ranges. [,5f™Tan 



once did we hear a nocturnal bird call, and that was the Boobook 

 Owl. It was very late when we reached the station. 



Most of the party drove over a mountain track to the foot of 

 Mount Patawurta on the following day, and chmbed to the summit, 

 3,060 feet. During the descent two members lost their way in 

 the scrub. This delayed the party, and, after a very perilous 

 journey over mountain tracks, Moolooloo was reached at 11 p.m. 

 The fauna and flora upon this peak (which is the highest in the 

 district) are very distinct. In the scrub around the foot of the 

 mount the Scrub-Robin {Drymodes hrunneopygia) and Brown- 

 headed Honey-eater {Melithreptus atricapilhts mallee) were met 

 with. Among the plants were orchids and grevilleas. It was a 

 great pity that more time could not have been given to the 

 exploration of this fine peak, for, without doubt, the thick scrubs 

 would have yielded good material. This is a spot for the next 

 naturalist who may go that way. 



On the 15th the party split up and went out in many directions. 

 In company with the host, I set out on horseback to the north, 

 over very mountainous country. We were in search of a rare 

 acacia. It was found growing in a limited area, on the top of a 

 very high ridge which connects two mountain ranges. From 

 here the view on every side was wild and grand ; the pine-clad sides 

 of the mountains only wanted a httle snow to make an Alpine 

 scene. Away to the north lay a great mass of pine-clad mountains, 

 divided by deep ravines, the latter being traced by the growth 

 of red gum trees. This is a virgin country as far as the naturahst 

 is concerned, rarely, if ever, visited by a white man. Some day 

 I hope to explore it. In some places grass-trees [Xanthorrhcea) 

 were seen growing on the lower slopes, last year's flower-spikes 

 standing out dark and gaunt against the sky. Having collected 

 many botanical specimens, we began the homeward journey. In 

 places we had to dismount— the descents were so precipitous. 



All those interested in geology next day drove over to the 

 Blinman mine ; others worked the country around the homestead. 

 On the 17th all left for Oweenagin's Gap, and we camped for lunch 

 at a picturesque spot called the " Duke's Nose." A great mass 

 of rock bears a remarkable resemblance to a human face, with a 

 strongly-defined nose. A large creek lined with fine red gums 

 finds its way through this gap. The valleys were clad in pine 

 forests, and 'these trees grew far up the mountain sides. Birds 

 were not plentiful ; the only species met with in the pine forests 

 were the White-browed Babbler {Morganornis superciliosus), 

 Southern Rufous-breasted Thickhead {Lewinornis rufiventris 

 inornatus), and the Broad-tailed Tit {Acanthiza apicalis). Among 

 the gums hning the creeks there was more bird-life, for, in addition 

 to the three species mentioned. South Australian Pardalotes 

 [Pardalotinns striatus subaffinis) were plentiful ; so were the 

 Greenish Tree-Tits {Smicrornis brevirostris viridescens). Cloncurry 

 Honey-eaters {Ptilotiila penicillata leilavalensis) were also fairiy 

 numerous among the gum-trees. The flora did not vary much ; 



