Vol. XXI 

 1921 



] S.A.WHITE, Central Australian Expedition. 85 



train had been held up till the sand had been removed from the 

 rails, waving grass, herbage and wild flowers now covered the 

 landscape. A few birds were seen — Bustards, Wedgetailed 

 Eagles, Crows, Brown Hawks, Kites, Rose-breasted Cockatoos 

 (in small flocks), and, on the clay pans and creeks. Ducks of 

 several species, White- fronted and White-necked Herons and 

 Avocets. Many of these birds rose at the approach of the train. 

 That evening we arrived in Oodnadatta, and the following 

 morning were very busy preparing for the trip. At 2 p.m., Mr. 

 E. R. Kempe arriving with a car, we made a start to the North- 

 East, and arrived at Macumba Station, owned by Sir Sidney Kid- 

 man, and ably managed by Mr. E. R. Kempe. Mrs. Kempe gave 

 us a hearty welcome. The next day was spent by the geologists 

 in looking round the country near the station, and the writer had 

 his time fully occupied in preparing for a start on the follow- 

 ing day. 



At an early hour on 11th July, the horses were brought in, and 

 five were harnessed up to a strong four-wheeled conveyance. 

 As soon as the black boys let the horses' heads go, they were 

 away with a bound, and we had made a start on our trip to the 

 North. The itinerary for the trip w^as made out before leaving, 

 and agreed to, and now it was a matter of keeping to the time- 

 table as closely as possible, because vSir Edgeworth David was 

 due back in Sydney at a stated time. 



Macumba Station is situated on Yardaparinna Creek, and we 

 followed this to the northward, with 25 loose horses in charge 

 of two black boys. The chief vegetation along the creek was 

 Stinking Acacia or Gidyea (cicada cambagia), and amongst these 

 low trees were noted the Pallid Cuckoo, Rose-breasted Cocka- 

 toos, Crested Bell Birds, the White-face, Crows and other birds. 

 Striking the Macumba Creek, we met with several large water- 

 holes, on which were numbers of Maned Geese or Wood Ducks, 

 also Grey Teal. The water had started to dry up, leaving great 

 masses of Nardoo (Marsilia quadrifolia) to fruit before the hot 

 winds set in and scorched it all off. W'hen growing in the water, 

 the leaves of this plant — the "Clover Fern" — resemble four- 

 le^ived shamrock, floating on the surface after the manner of 

 the leaves of the water lily. It is a most interesting plant, for 

 it is found to-day living in the same form as that in which 

 ancient rocks of Devonian age contain it in a fossilised state. 

 Crossing the wide sandy bed of the Alberga River, which was 

 now drying up (there being but waterholes here and there along, 

 its course), we then crossed the Stevenson Creek, and pulled up 

 for the mid-day meal in the sandy bed near a fine waterhole. All 

 these water courses are lined with fine red gums {Eucalyptus 

 rostrata), and the birds were numerous, especially Mrs. Mor- 

 gan's Parrot (Barnardius zonarius myrtae), Yellow-throated 

 Miner, W^hite- fronted Herons or Blue Cranes, Tennanl's Maned 

 Geese, Grey Teal, Red-backed Kingfisher, Mudlarks, Whistling 

 and Little Eagles, Kestrels, and Cloncurry Honey-eaters. After 

 the meal, a fresh team of horses wa-^ put in, and we were off 



