THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. "43 



Thursday, 3RD. — After breakfast we started in the yacht with 

 our boat in tow for the River Tambo, leaving the choice of a 

 camping ground to the boatman, who knew the locaHty. We 

 sailed about one mile up stream from the mouth, and found a 

 suitable spot for our tents under some "boobyallas." So, landing, 

 we soon had the billy boiling and some lunch, after which our 

 boatman left us, with instructions to return on the following 

 Monday to take us back. Tents were pitched, our beds being 

 made of tussocks of grass, which surrounded us in abundance. 

 One large tent fly made a comfortable dining room, with the 

 boat boards fastened up to ti-tree for a table. The afternoon 

 was spent in fishing, but with no luck, and exploring the locality, 

 which appeared favourable for collecting, &c. — swamps on both 

 sides of the river, and just behind us a strip of land separated us 

 from Tambo Bay. We stalked some swan which were feeding 

 in the shallow water, and after crawling through tussocks, thistles, 

 &c., reached the edge of the bay, but to our disgust found the 

 birds were out of range. In the evening we tried fishing again, 

 but without success. 



Friday, 4TH. — We pulled down the river and round into 

 Tambo Bay, where black swan were feeding and swimming in 

 hundreds. After lunch the swamps were tried for game, while I 

 went after coleoptera, &c. I took several species of beetles under 

 the bark of the gum trees, and some scrub being in flower 1 

 also tried it, but without result. Then we again embarked, but 

 had a difficulty in making the land again, as both wind and tide 

 were against us ; however, camp was reached at last, but rain 

 coming on our diningroom had to come down and take its own 

 place, and trenches had to be made round the tents. 



Saturday, 5TH. — Up before 5 a.m. A lovely morning. 

 Clothes lines were soon up, and wet garments hung out to dry. 



After dinner we divided into two parties, the one going across 

 the river for game, and my brother and I going round the bay. 

 In turning over a log a Tiger Snake was discovered asleep, but 

 was rudely awakened, and soon bagged. Not a single insect was 

 taken. In the evening the others returned with another Tiger 

 Snake, which was captured after a lively fight. Both snakes are 

 exhibited here to-night. In the evening fishing was tried again, 

 with the result that an eel turning the scale at 11 lbs. was caught, 

 and afforded some excitement when trying to land it. When it 

 was being prepared for a meal a piece of beefsteak about half a 

 pound weight was found in its stomach, and appeared quite fresh. 

 Boiled in salt water and then fried the eel was very good eating. 



The next day we rowed up the river towards Swan Reach, and 

 seeing a saw-mill, landed and inspected it. The caretaker informed 

 us it had been deserted for nearly three years, and that there 

 was still a great deal of valuable limber in the locality, but like 

 other mills it is now a relic of the " boom " period. 



