146 DAtEY, At Wartook (Gnimpimis). [\oi.''xxxvi 



early inoniing and sunset is the varying effect oi the lights 

 and shadows on the lake. A\hich enhances the charm and beauty 

 of the scene. Wartook is easily reached by road from Horsham, 

 about 24 miles distant. 



About I p.m. we loaded up our pony with packs much 

 increased in size by our floral gatherings, and, bidding good-bye 

 to Mrs. Kimberley, with many thanks for her kindness and 

 assistance in procuring flowers, we started the return journey. 

 The weather was all that could be desired, and the trip inter- 

 esting and enjoyable. Wartook can be confidently recom- 

 mended for a F.N.C. camp. 



On a previous visit we had eftartled a flock of seven Emus, 

 but, excepting birds, w^hich, contrary to general opinion, are 

 numerous, the fauna was not conspicuous, although kangaroos, 

 wallabies, and deer frequent the watershed of the lake. 

 Among some of the birds seen or heard were the White 

 Cockatoo, Black Cockatoo, Harmonious Shrike-Thrush, Bell- 

 bird, Flame-breasted and Yellow-breasted Robins, Welcome 

 Swallow, Yellow-rumped Tit, Magpie, Kookaburra, Bronzewing 

 Pigeon, Strepera, Blue Wren, Grey-crowned Babbler, Red- 

 tipped Diamond-bird, several species of Parrots, Pallid Cuckoo, 

 Mopoke, and the White-breasted Thickhead. Above the lake 

 a magnificent specimen of the Eaglehawks, poising high 



, '* Overhead, 



" Motionless as though suspended by a viewless thread." 



attracted our attention. The resemblance to a far-distant 

 aeroplane was very real. Aquatic birds were conspicuous by 

 their absence. 



On the homeward journey a second Yellow-breasted Robin's 

 nest, with eggs, was found. Our return from Wartook was 

 uneventful, and we arrived at " Bellfield " in time and in 

 excellent trim for tea. 



Next day we departed homewards with the Bureau party, 

 leaving behind Miss Nethercote and Mr. C. Gabriel, without 

 whose effective services in finally rounding up and enlisting 

 the residents of Hall's Gap for active assistance in gathering 

 flowers at the week-end for transmission on the Monday, the 

 Grampians display would not keep pride of place at the show. 



With twenty years' experience of the Grampians and its 

 delightful flora, I may be permitted to say a word of warning 

 as to the probability of a steady and accelerated depletion in 

 its wild-flowers as a result of the growing popularity of the 

 place and the wholesale gathering, not only of the flowers, 

 but also of the young plants. This is specially observable 

 during the last two years, places formerly noted for flowers 

 becoming deprived of their floral treasures, and some plants 

 once easily obtainable in these places becoming scarce or no 

 longer procura])le. The more pleasing the bloom the greater 



