Vol. XIX. 

 iqi9 



J Bryant, Holiday Trip to Far Upper Murray. 65 



a large flock of White Cockatoos [Cacatita galerita), which woke 

 up the whole neighbourhood with their screeching. When half- 

 way I felt very tired, so took off my creel and the other para- 

 phernalia and sat down on a log close to a colony of black-and- 

 white " Jays " [Strcpera graciilina). I tried to answer their calls, 

 with the result that one of the party came over to investigate, 

 kept up a continuous chatter, and came down to the lowest limb 

 of a tree under which I sat, only a few yards off, to continue the 

 discussion. On my return journey it rained, thus proving the 

 truth about the advent of the King Parrots. I made for home, 

 shooting a few rabbits for the pot. I saw no King Parrots during 

 the rest of my stay, and the rain this time was only a light 

 shower. Amongst other birds seen that day was the Black-and- 

 White Fantail {Rhipidura motacilloides), " Willie Wagtail," one 

 of which was trying to walk up a young steer's face to catch 

 insects off him. The steer did not mind, and the Fantail played 

 about his face in the most impudent manner, not even taking 

 notice of my approach until the steer moved, when I was only a 

 few feet away. I also saw a good many of the White-shafted 

 Fantails {R. albiscapa), which were also very tame. The 

 Harmonious Thrush [Colluricinda harmonica) was noted, though 

 scarce, and the larger Friar-Bird (Tropidorhynchiis corniciilatiis), 

 both of these being more often heard than seen at this time of the 

 year. The Kookaburras {Dacelo gigas) and Black-backed Magpies 

 {Gymnorhina tibicen) were also very numerous, and on my return 

 this evening a great chorus of the former, comprising at least a 

 dozen, showed their derision at my non-success as a fisherman. 

 To-night I heard several Mopokes {Ninox hoobook), also the sharp 

 bark of the foxes up the river. It was very dark and still. 



27th March. — Rather warm to-day. In the afternoon went 

 over to the " Island " after an hour's unsuccessful fishing. The 

 " Island " is formed l)y a small offshoot of the river enclosing 

 some thick scrubby country, with large trees interspersed. I put 

 up a Wonga Pigeon {Leucosarcia melanolenca) here, the only one 

 I saw all the afternoon, although my " old friend " had informed 

 me that if I walked through this place and climbed up a small 

 cutting on the side of the hill I would sec them as " thick as flies " ; 

 but I am afraid he is living in the past, for Mr. Cronin, from 

 Corryong, at whose sister's place I was staying, had already 

 informed me that they were plentiful years ago and he was 

 doubtful of their presence now. In the corner of the " Island " 

 under the hill I put up a dozen Black Duck. Again, I was told 

 that some persons had been nearly poisoned by eating W'onga 

 Pigeons which were very fat from feeding on the berry of a shrul:) 

 that grows along the river-bank ; again I am sceptical, and cannot 

 help thinking that the W'ongas were so good that they ate too 

 much of them. 



28th March. — Not sleeping well, so rested to-day. 



29th March. — Got up at 6 a.m. to try for some Ducks for the 

 pot, but did not get them— they were too wary ; but I shot a couple 



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