THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 153 



here this evening) we divided into two parties, and became 

 representatives of the order Grallre, or Waders. Our party soon 

 had cause to rejoice, for as we approached the long reeds in the 

 centre of the swamp up rose a couple of Anseras melahuca (Semi- 

 palmated Goose) and a small flock of White Ibis, and we shortly 

 afterwards found their nests and rookery. The nest of this 

 goose is wonderfully constructed by apparently so clumsy a bird. 

 They bend down the reeds, Typha aw gusti folia, from all directions 

 to a common centre, interlacing them and adding short pieces so 

 as to form a hollowed centre. They also prepare an approach 

 gradually rising from the water and facing the south-west. We 

 found three nests during the day, and each of them was built in 

 the manner described. The bird after alighting on the water 

 ascends its nest by means of this approach, thus avoiding the 

 risk of breaking the eggs. The nest, of which you will see a 

 photograph here to-night, measured about 3 feet across, and 

 with its approach about 4^ feet long, and the top of it was 

 about 2 feet above the surface of the water, and was so strongly 

 constructed that it would readily bear the weight of a fair-sized 

 man. Soon after this we met the other party, who had so far not 

 been successful. Forming a line, and all working in the same 

 direction, we came across a nest containing five eggs of the 

 " Bunyip." The aboriginals until a few years ago explained that 

 the boom of the Bittern (Botaurus poicilopterus) was that of the 

 Bunyip. This boom sounds very weird, especially on close, murky 

 nights, and it is not surprising that the natives, who are usually so 

 afraid of the darkness, should fall into this mistake. That so small 

 a bird should make so loud a noise passed their comprehension; 

 and not only so, the bird itself is rarely seen except when flushed. 

 It is asserted that this booming sound is only heard during the 

 breeding season, and that the birds begin with one boom, increas- 

 the number of sounds as the days go on, until they give four, 

 at intervals of a few seconds, then after a few days they gradually 

 diminish to one again ; and we ourselves noticed this diminishing 

 before leaving the district. The assertion, however, needs still 

 further confirmation. Our next find was a nest of six eggs of 

 Porphyrio melanotis. We then went back to Essex Farm, where 

 we did justice to a good farmer's dinner. After a little rest, we 

 started down river again and into the swamp as before to photo- 

 graph the Ibis rookery and other nests near by. Whilst this 

 business was proceeding we were attacked by innumerable 

 leeches, which, whenever we stood in one place for a few minutes, 

 industriously commenced operations. Most of us objected, but 

 our artist stood manfully to his task and suffered in consequence. 

 My guide and I left the photographers and went about a mile away, 

 to another portion of the swamp, where we found six more eggs of 

 the Porphyrio, and another nest of the Semi-palmated Goose ; just 



