34 O'Donohue, Wanderings on the Murray Flood-Plain. [ v ^ 



ict. Nat. 

 XXXII. 



elevation, and having a more or less east and west extension, 

 intervened. Among some of the many robust pines by which 

 they were clothed, a number of Pink Cockatoos (Major 

 Mitchell). Cacatua leadbeateri, were noticed, and on reaching 

 these trees we found the ground beneath them littered with 

 cones that had been frayed and torn by the birds in their 

 quest of the seeds they contained. Ascending a stiff slope, we 

 found ourselves on the fringe of a vast expanse of tender green 

 foliage that extended in front and on either hand to the sky- 

 line. Along the crest of this ridge Eucalyptus incrassata, Giant 

 Mallee, was flowering freely, but not elsewhere. This long, 

 narrow selvedge of flowering gums proved to be the rendezvous 

 of many varieties of honey-eaters. Thither we resorted almost 

 every day, at various hours, and invariably found something 

 new in bird-life to reward us. Here Ajuga austral is. Australian 

 Bugle, and Microseris Foster i were to be seen growing luxuri- 

 antly among the branches of the fallen timber, and in less 

 favourable situations Blennodia lasiocarpa. Hairy Blennodia, 

 Calotis hispidula, Hairy Burr-Daisy. Alyssum minimum. Desert 

 Alyssum, and Clematis microphylla, Smaller Clematis. Several 

 robust growths of the Twining Fringe Lily, Thysanotus 

 Patersoni, were met with, and one ragged specimen of the 

 Native Poplar, or Bell-Fruit, Codonocarpus cotinifolius. 



Although we ranged extensively over the flood-plain and 

 amid the adjacent Mallee areas during our sojourn al Mfournpoul, 

 we met with but one tree of the Sweet Ouandong. Fusanus 

 (Santalum) acuminatus. This was found on the ridge previously 

 referred to. and was heavily burdened with fruit. The Large 

 Dodder Laurel was much in evidence, particularly on the out- 

 skirts oi the Malice. One large tree of Eucalyptus incrassata, 

 Gianl Mallee, was noted bearing an enormous mass of this 

 parasitica] growth, (dose at hand another was observed <<> 

 have been uprooted by wind pressure on the balloon-like inter- 

 lacement oi stems it had for many years nourished and 

 supported. 



Whilst ranging through the Mallee we realized, at a very 

 early staf<e in our peregrinations, that caution had to be exer- 

 1 in the choice of a site whence to view a foraging bird. 

 At every few yards the extensive and crater-like nests of the 

 Myrmecia nit'/icipes were to be encountered. These ants 

 appeared to be always spoiling for fight, and if one of us in- 

 advertently approached within half a dozen yards of a citadel, 



or, foi that matter, allowed his shadow to fall upon it. oul 

 they would pour in myriads, and. with gaping mandibles. 



skirmish ovei a large area in qui is1 ol the offender. Mr. Rosen- 



bain'--- efforts to -'•. ure a photo. o| a nest oi these militant ants 



were many, and mostly unsuccessful. In the vicinity of 

 ■ \^tei Rid vera! trees oi the Scented Pepperminl 



