Juno.n O'Doxohuk, Wanderings on the Murray Flood-Plain. 33 



This area had undoubtedly once formed part of Lake Mournpoul. 

 but had been cut off from the main depression by a low ridge, 

 composed chiefly of sand. The two factors instrumental in 

 its formation were wind transport of sand during periods of 

 drought, when the area was rendered amenable to aeolian 

 forces, and water transport of debris during periods of flood. 

 The dense growth of Red Gums that flourished on this narrow 

 ridge, and at a distance of 150 yards, or thereabouts, from 

 the waters of Mournpoul, afforded some measure of protection 

 from any southerly gales that might arise during our sojourn. 

 To the west and north we were well sheltered by a sand-dune, 

 whereon the ubiquitous Thickheads formed a dense sward, 

 and effectively checked wind erosion, which was only too 

 evident in those portions of the neighbouring dunes where this 

 viscid composite had failed to establish itself. 



To the east the level expanse of lake-bed, invested in places 

 by large growths of the Tangled Lignum, with acacias, 

 eucalypts, and casuarinas interspersed, though it gave no 

 protection from the elements, afforded us a splendid vantage- 

 ground for observation. Here the Black-faced Kangaroos 

 were noted on their way to the lakeside, and, among the more 

 familiar types of birds, the Black-tailed Native-Hen, Micro- 

 tribonyx ventralis. Crested Pigeons were exceedingly numerous 

 on and in the neighbourhood of the bed of Lake Konardin, 

 a short distance to the north of the camp. On one occasion 

 a flock of not less than 100 individuals was flushed by Mr. 

 Milligan and myself. Towards sundown, and shortly after 

 sunrise, they were to be seen in large and small companies, 

 winging their way towards Mournpoul to quench their thirst. 

 Emus were practically never absent from the vicinity of our 

 cam]). Whilst clearing up after lunch on Wednesday, 10th 

 September, a party of nine ventured to within thirty yards. 

 and, after intently regarding us for a short time, wandered off 

 across the dunes in their usual aimless manner. One bird in 

 particular was repeatedly encountered at the lakeside. Old 

 age seemed to have rendered it incapable of keeping up with 

 the members of any one of the many small flocks that ranged 

 the adjacent countryside, and thus doomed it to a solitary 

 existence — an associate of rat tit' and of sheep. Strange to 

 relate, these birds are regarded with more aversion by station 

 hands than kangaroos. This arises from their habil of 

 damaging, so it i> alleged, the wire netting attached to fences, 

 thereby allowing rabbits free ingress to enclosures from which 

 they had been previously expelled after the expenditure of 

 much time and labour. 



Shortly after our arrival at Mournpoul we set out early one 

 morning to explore the rentes ,,| the Mailer, aboul a mile 

 distant to the north of our tamp. Sand-dunes, ol considerable 



