292 ME MO IBS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM. 



" Both the menura and the tallegalla are abundant in some parts of the 

 lUawarra district, but they are scarce near Wollongong. . . . The nidification of 

 menura [3]. being of the utmost importance, you must not fail to gain every infor- 

 mation from the natives as to the structure and situation of the nest, number of 

 egffs. &c.. &c. Offer high rewards for the eggs, but you need not spend time iii 

 trying to shoot the l)irds. The bell bird. Orthonyx, satin and catbirds, Ganggang 

 parrot, large green pigeon {magnifica) columba, Phasianella, all breed in these 

 brushes, and of all of which I Avant the eggs. 



•• When at Bongbong, the natives also told me of a large blue-grey kangaroo 

 which they sometimes killed. I could never make out what it is unless it be robustus. 

 Make enquiry. 



■ In all districts get rock kangaroos, if possible, and kangaroo rats. 



■■ Be very particular in ascertaining if there is an emu inhabiting the brushes, 

 of a small size and black. I saw the footsteps of an emu on the small island next 

 Mosquito Island at the mouth of the Hunter, and from the character of the brush 

 and the low swampy nature of the soil I should not be surprised if it prove to be 

 the small species. The natives w^ould probably throw some light on the subject. 

 Baker's Island is close to Newcastle, on which lives a Mr. Baker (a gardener) and 

 his sons ; they would give you information. 



• The great Macrojms Icmiger [4] is also found on the plains ; in all probability 

 it might be got by getting to any of the out stations behind Port Phihp. I found 

 it both in S. Austraha, near the Murray, and on the extensive plains of the lower 

 Namoi, near Gundermein ; it is also to be found still nearer the colony, both at 

 the Peel towards New England and within twenty miles from Brezi on the river 

 Mokai, northward of Liverpool Plains, and which could only, I think, be got from 

 Brown"s station, eighteen miles lower down the Mokai. Robustus, frcenatus, and 

 dorsalis are also found at Brezi, but do not go purposely for these. The great 

 walleroo could be procured by employing the Yarrundi natives (Coxen's). I found 

 them on the hills in front of Mr. Coxen's house, and Natty pointed out a hill close 

 to the cedar brush at the Liverpool Range where they are abundant. Should you 

 visit the Upper Hunter district it would perhaps be well to spend a week in getting 

 as many specimens of the walleroo as possible, always securing the services of Natty 

 and Jemmy, my faithful companions. Mr. Coxen would doubtless lend you a horse 

 and cart and send you and your traps to the range where you would take up your 

 quarters under the very hills on which the animal is found. The rock kangaroo, of 

 which I should like several specimens, is also abundant here. The brushes are not 

 worth hunting for the birds. 



•' You will also in this district procure the rat kangaroo [5] with the long white 

 tip to its tail — not the common one found about Yarrundi — but if you call Natty's 

 attention to the one we so often saw on all the low grassy hills immediately 

 adjoining the range he will recollect. I, unfortunately, did not obtain it. 



