THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 75 



Ooroonong Creek, which flows past the house. We found three 

 eggs ; these, being handy, we left, so that we could check the 

 period of laying the balance of eggs. But some crows were on 

 the watch too, and on our next visit we found that they also 

 appreciated ducks' eggs. To get to this stump a boat was used, 

 which we named the '' Pride of the Ooroonong ; " although rather 

 leaky, we found it very useful at times. 



A pine ridge opposite next attracted our attention, where we 

 found some of our feathered friends — notably the Red-capped 

 Robin (Petrceca Goodenovii) and a rare Gerygone (Gerygone culi- 

 civora). This pretty bird we met frequently afterwards, but we 

 failed to find any nests. These birds are a Western Australian 

 species, but have been found in Victoria, and it was interesting 

 to find them here also. 



The pine ridge near the house was hunted the next day, with no 

 result. In the afternoon, while strolling along the creek bank, 

 a Maned Goose was flushed out of a hollow tree, and the next 

 day we took our first clutch of twelve eggs. To obtain this 

 clutch was at first a puzzle, but one of our friends was equal to 

 the occasion. 



Next morning we had a long tramp, but again with poor 

 results. While returning we noticed an Australian Shoveller, 

 Spatula rhynchotis. These birds are very shy, and this one 

 was seen sneaking from the creek to the grass crop. One of our 

 friends, at our request, paid a visit to the spot about ten days 

 after we left, and found a clutch of nine eggs, and not very far off 

 a second clutch with eight eggs. These birds are not so dainty 

 and trim with their nests as the Black Duck and Teal. Both of 

 these nests, as usual, were found abominably messy and unpleasant. 

 In the afternoon we were driven to Moulamein, eleven miles 

 distant, where we arrived soon after dark. Our journey, as 

 usual, was varied by many water experiences, but we were now 

 getting used to these, noticing only the waterfowl and mosquitos ; 

 the latter were always present, and the former thickly sprinkled 

 the overflows. We passed the night at this, one of the oldest 

 towns in New South Wales. In dance and song we spend a 

 pleasant night, and retire to bed early — in the morning. 



Next day on our return journey we found a Teal's nest, prettily 

 placed in a hollow spout of an overhanging dead tree. Standing 

 upon the seat of the buggy, we counted eleven creamy-coloured 

 eggs, which we were cruel enough to take. These eggs, as usual, 

 were beautifully encircled with elastic down. This down we 

 carried home with us, and two hours after being taken it was 

 found to be still quite warm. I gather from this that the eggs 

 never get cold during the temporary absence of the sitting bird. 



At Bygannti Creek we have to cross a peculiar structure which 

 is honoured by the name of a bridge. The horses are first un- 

 yoked and led over, and the buggy is then hauled over by us 



