^"'"i<!^"^'] t.ORD, ./ I'rif^ to the N(itii»iti/ Park of Tasmnnia. IO3 



features of this interesting area. The mountain plateau com- 

 mences in the east at an elevation of from 3,300 to 3,500 feet 

 above sea-level, and rises to the west, where it terminates in the 

 great buttress of Mount Field West {4,721 feet higli), from whence 

 there is almost a sheer fall of 3,000 feet into the Florentine Valley 

 below. In the east are open moors intersected by shallow valleys, 

 but to the west the mountains are rent by yawning chasms 1,500 

 feet deep, in the beds of which lie pine-fringed lakes and 

 thunderous waterfalls. At the time of which I am writing (the 

 end of January) the mountains were covered with a carpet of 

 flowering alpine plants, but those of us who are conversant with 

 the higher altitudes of this area at other seasons recall great 

 expanses of snow, many acres in extent. 



One of the most interesting trips was that to the summit of 

 Mount Field West, which is situated about 7 miles, as the Crow 

 flies, from the Fenton hut. As the track winds about over high 

 ridges and "ploughed fields" of massive rocks, the journey is 

 long. However, if it were twice as far it would well repay the 

 energy expended, on account of the scenery alone ; but one must 

 not dwell upon that aspect in the present instance, but be content 

 with recording the featbered inhabitants of this region. Leaving 

 the hut, the track followed the shores of Lake Fenton for some 

 distance, and then turned to the right across an open moor. It 

 was here that we noticed several Black Crow-Shrikes {Strcpera 

 fitliginosa) among the trees on an adjacent hillside. This species 

 appeared to be the most numerous of any on the mountain 

 plateau, for wherever we went its resounding note was to be 

 heard, and upon reaching the shores of Lake Dobson we observed 

 a parent bird being pursued by two of its hungry offspring, which 

 had apparently not long mastered the secret of aerial navigation. 

 Leaving the lake, the track rises abruptly for 680 feet to a shelf 

 along the ridge. The steep ascent of the track at this point is 

 made easier by reason of the beauty of the crimson flowers of the 

 Tasmanian waratah [Telopea triincata) which line the trail. .As 

 we looked back across the lakes and moors the scene was enlivened 

 by the presence of a Brown Hawk [Hieracidea berigora), wliich 

 wheeled about over the tree-tops several hundred feet below. 

 The easy flight of the Brown Hawk was in marked contrast to the 

 somewhat ungainly movements of a pair of Ravens {Corviis 

 aiistralis) which flew from the hillside down into the valley. As 

 the track rose towards the summit of the ridge the vegetation 

 became more stunted and alpine in character, and it was not long 

 before the scene was one of massive boulders, with small patches 

 of vegetation struggling for existence among the snow-swept 

 peaks. The views were now becoming grand in the extreme. 

 In the foreground was a jumbled mass of rugged peaks, cleft by 

 mighty gorges 1,500 or more feet deep, in the beds of which valleys 

 lay pine-fringed lakes and tarns — exquisite watery gems in a 

 magnificent setting of rugged grandeur formed by snow-capped 

 peaks and massive buttresses of dark diabase. Beyond this and 



