June,"! O'Donohi'e, Wanderings on the Murray Flood-Plain 35 



Eucalyptus odorata. were found, and a much-cropped specimen 

 of Acacia brachybotrya, Silvery Acacia. 



Prior to breaking camp on Friday, 18th, Mr. Milligan and I 

 ventured on a very early and hurried visit into the Mallee, 

 which proved highly interesting. We returned about noon, 

 and, after exchanging greetings with Johnny, who had just 

 arrived with the buggy and pair, sat down to lunch. An hour 

 later, as we were about to set out for Kulkyne, the cause 

 occasioning a sudden and noisy demonstration on that portion 

 of the lake in proximity to our camp was revealed when a 

 Black-cheeked Falcon, bearing in its talons a Hoary-headed 

 Grebe, passed within a few yards of us. Save the unusual sight 

 of half a dozen bats, disturbed either by the noise of the buggy 

 or the vibration it imparted to the hollow tree in which they 

 had been ensconced, flitting about in the bright sunshine, little 

 of moment occurred on the journey. The forenoon of Saturday 

 was spent wandering around among the saltbush, and noting 

 the birds and vegetation. After lunch we proceeded to Chalka 

 Creek to ascertain the effect of the previous day's phosphorus 

 poisoning by the station hands on the rabbits. None were 

 found dead, but a large number were observed in what might 

 be termed a very "groggy" condition. These unfortunates 

 afforded the dogs exciting courses, and invariably disappeared 

 at the critical moment into a convenient hollow log. 



Under Mr. Thompson's guidance we visited a shallow 

 depression, of no great size, situate in the vicinity of Chalka 

 Creek, and containing, possibly, a few thousand gallons of 

 filthy water. This was the rendezvous of at least 600 Black 

 Duck, Teal, and Widgeon, which had resorted hither from Lake 

 Mournpoul, and had done so for many months. The area of 

 water being too small to accommodate the flock, the birds 

 lined its edges in close array and extended back some distance 

 on the bare, parched, and feather-strewn ground. Photos, of 

 this interesting scene were obtained. 



Late that evening our conveyance arrived from Mildura, 

 and early the following morning we reluctantly bade adieu to 

 our Kulkyne friends, and set out on our return journey. 

 Mildura was reached about 8 p.m., after a hot, dusty, and tire- 

 some drive. 



The Black-and-White Fantail. — During the past season 

 1 have had the pleasure of observing in Studley Park the 

 activity in breeding of those extremely useful birds the Black- 

 and-White Fantail, Rhipidura motacilloidcs, Vig. and Hors. 

 I had four pairs of birds under observation, and found that 

 three pairs reared no less than three families each between the 

 months of August and December. The other pair of birds 

 was disturbed after their first clutch, and may have built in 



