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Black Cormorant {Phalacrocorax carbo), whicli, the ranger declared, 

 had been breakfasting in company with several others upon the 

 trout in the pools under the Russell Falls. This year Tasmania 

 has received an invasion as regards this species, and they arc 

 denuding the inland streams antl lakes of fish. Passing through 

 an area of country timbered with giant eucalypts, we noted 

 both the Strong-billed Honey-eater {Melilhrcptus validiroslris) and 

 the Black-capped Honey-eater (.1/. nw/unocephalus) among the 

 branches, while the ever-present Cresicnt Honey-eater {Lichnicra 

 uiistralasiaita) flitted al)out among the lower vegetation. 'ilie 

 track now turned in order to cross a gully, and the flora cliangcd 

 from eucalypt to tree-fern {Dicksoitiu luitantica), ov^crspread l)y 

 sassafras [Athcrospcrma inoschaliim) and beech {lui'^iis ciiiuiiiiL^Iufini). 

 Here we were fortunate enough to observe that most beautiful 

 bird, the Pink-breasted Robin {Erythrodryas rhodinogaster). Of 

 an exceeding quiet and retiring disposition, this species is not 

 often observed in the open, but lias to be sought amid the secluded 

 vegetation of the creeks. In such localities it builds its beautiful 

 cup-shaped nest and adorns it with small pieces of lichens and 

 moss, which, in addition to being an ornament, serve to blend 

 the nest into the surrounding vegetation, and therefore form a 

 most excellent camouflage. As one watched this Robin, perched 

 upon the frond of a tree-fern, with the sunlight breaking through 

 to show off its dark body and l)rilliant magenta-pink breast, one 

 lapsed into thought at its beauty. With all the artificial aids 

 which Homo sapiens has brought to his assistance. Dame Nature 

 still leads as regards beauty and utility of body coverings. After 

 remaining a few moments, this living gem of the forest flitted 

 silently away, and we continued our journey. Wending our way 

 up the slopes, we were cheered l)y the melodious notes of the 

 Grey-tailed Whistler {Pachycephala glaucura). Perched amid the 

 foliage of a blackwood {Acacia mclanoxylon), he led the choral 

 service being held by the avifauna of the gully. However much 

 we wished, it was not possible to linger, as the track to the 

 mountain is a fairly long one — seven miles uphill — and we were 

 timed to reach the hut at Lake Fenton by noon. Coming again 

 to another stretch of drier and more open country, the Scarlet- 

 breasted Robin [Petroica leggii) and the Flame-breasted Robin 

 (P. phocnicca) were both noted amid the lower bushes, while over- 

 head a couple of Magpies {Gymnorhina organicnm) quarrelled 

 noisily. Witliin a short distance a number of Yellow-tails 

 {Acanthiza clirysorrhoa) were observed, and also a few Brown- 

 tailed Tit-Warblers {Acanthiza dicmcncnsis) and White-eves 

 {Zoster ops dor sails). 



The track, which had been rising all the time, now turned into 

 denser vegetation. The massive eucalypts, towering several 

 hundred feet high, were surrounded by sassafras and beech, while 

 at their bases various smaller plants served to densen the forest. 

 We noted the tracks of the rufous wallaby {Macropiis ruficollis, var. 

 bennetti) amid the scrub, and several Brown Scrub- Wrens {Sericornis 



