49 



and dried grass placed in a slight deprossiou iu the ground, where 

 the bird lays six or eight eggs of a cream colour, blocked over 

 with dark red spots. The youug when hatched are covered with 

 a black down, and resemble chickens very much in their early 

 stage. The land-rail is most useful in the garden, and I hav" 

 known a pair of these birds to completely rid the flower beds of 

 slugs where previous to their coming it was impossible to rear 

 early seedlings. 



— Ducks. — 



The Australian black duck (Anas superciliosa) was seen on 

 Several occasions in the rockholes of the creek, and was generally 

 attended by a clutch of ducklings, more than likely the second 

 brood for the season. There was a very big surprise in store for 

 me, because towards the end of the camp a member of the party 

 discovered a little colony of the freckled duck (Stictonetta I -v, 

 noevosa), which had taken up their quarters on a pretty little \ \P 

 lagoon at the mouth of the Warunda Creek. I have seen these 

 birds south only during a dry season in the interior, and I much 

 regretted that our stay in the district came to an end so soon, 

 for I should have liked to ascertain whether they had nested in 

 that locality. A pair of Australian shovellers tlew rapidly from 

 a bend, in the creek, and were soon lost to sight in the timber. It 

 was no surpise to meet with this member of the family at this 

 time a year, because they often nest and rear their young among 

 the rank herbage of the Adelaide Plains. In conclusion to this 

 series of articles on the bird life of Byre's Peninsular I may say 

 that I have not dealt with the sea birds or the waders — a great 

 many of which came under the observation of those members of 

 the expedition who visited Lake Wangary and Coffili's Bay — be- 

 cause the able pen of ,Mr. Robert Hall, F.L.S.. C.M.Z.S., has been 

 devoted to the species. 



Associated with the ornithologists during their expedition to 

 Eyre's Peninsular were several well-known specialists in botany, 

 entomology, and other branches of natural history. It is my in- 

 tention to give a brief outline of the work entered upon by these 

 branches of natural science. 



Stars there are wherein we read our history. 



As astrologers and seers of old. 

 Yet not wrapped about with awful mystei-y, 



Like the burning stars which they behold. 



A\'oiidrous truths and manifold as Avondrous 



God hath written iu those stars above, 

 But not less in the bright flowerets under us 



Stands the revelation of His love. 



