J)^ Carter, Exploration of the North- West Cape. [,sfoct. 



purposed camping. But as it was then thundering and raining, 

 with every prospect of a wet night, we decided to go half a mile 

 further, where are some convenient caves. The other white man 

 who accompanied me thus far to lay baits for troublesome 

 dingoes (wild dogs) and our two natives here found snug, dry 

 quarters for the night. Next morning we walked up the range 

 near the creek to see if any Sea Eagles were nesting. The 

 Yardie Creek contains sea water for about two miles, full of fish. 

 The banks are level near the beach, but rise rapidly, and half a 

 mile from the sea are sheer cliffs over loo feet in height, with, in 

 places, 40 feet of salt water at their bases. Above the salt 

 water is a deep pool of " sweet" water, surrounded by bulrushes, 

 and past this are two smaller pools of good fresh water. Beyond 

 here the creek winds through the ranges, rugged cliffs on either 

 side for miles to the eastwards, the bed of the creek being 

 formed of giant boulders and gravel, with stunted gum trees and 

 fig trees growing sometimes rather thickly. Though the highest 

 range may not exceed 1,000 feet in height the place is extremely 

 wild and romantic. Through our binoculars we inspected a 

 White-bellied Sea Eagle's nest on a ledge of the cliff. It 

 contained eggs last year, but repairing operations only were 

 apparently in progress, as was the case with an Osprey's 

 nest, built on the edge of a cliff, in a most convenient place to 

 walk up and inspect. We proceeded on the range past the 

 pools, then scrambled down into the gorge and visited a vast 

 cave. Water drips from the roof, forming two basins of 

 delicious cold water, which are much frequented by wild dogs. 

 Here Painted Finches {Eniblema pictd) and Keartland Honey- 

 eaters {Ptilotis keartlmidi) were quenching their thirst, and we 

 followed their example, preparatory to a rough walk back down 

 the bed of the creek. Here the loud, rich notes of the Buff-bellied 

 Shrike-Thrush {Colly riocincla rujiventj'-is) may be heard all the 

 way. Flocks of Bare -eyed Cockatoos [Cacatua gynmopis) were 

 flying overhead ; Keartland, Singing, and Brown Honey-eaters 

 abundant in the low trees, and occasionally a Flower-pecker 

 {Diccewii) seen, and small coveys of Plumed-Pigeons {Lophophaps) 

 sunning on the great boulders and drinking at the little dubs 

 left by last night's rain. We shot a rock kangaroo on the way 

 to camp to serve as baits for dogs and tucker for the road. 



After dinner my man returned to the station, and self and 

 native started north again. We turned into the sand-hills to dig 

 out water for horses, but it was very salty, though fortunately 

 not deep down. Coming on, we kept a sharp look-out for the 

 Carter Desert-Bird {Ereniiornis), which has been frequently seen 

 here, but failed to note one. Pied Honey-eaters {Entoniophila 

 kuconidas) were fairly common, and the cheerful notes of the 

 Field- Wren {Calamanthus) heard from many a bush. A 

 comfortable camp on a springy bed of soft spinifex, and next 

 morning we reached another large creek, similar to the Yardie, 



