16 



Douglas, its glossy surface glistening in ttie noonday sun trans 

 initting glorious shades of coloiiring, from the hght green of the 

 shoal waters to the deep blue of the centre harbour, backed up 

 by rugged and majestic rocks, or maybe by dazzling white sand 

 dunes dotted over Ity the light green shrubs chai'acteristic to our 

 seashore, was a delightful picture. Drinking in these lovely vestas 

 as every opening on the coastline revealed them, like the drawing 

 back of a curtain, the members of the party were enraptured. 



— Country Rich in Birds. — 



The party trudged on, the ornithologists noting each bird that 

 came within their scope of observation, be it a small wren, a tit, 

 or a hones^eater amid the undergrowth. The waders, some of 

 pied uniform, were standing on their long legs far out in the lake, 

 but powerful glasses made the birds appear within one's reach. 

 The shore birds, as they ran along the glistening sand in the 

 sunlight, were noted. The nature photographer, ever on the watch 

 for a picture, trudged along under his heavy load of photographic 

 paraphernalia. If a nest was found with eggs or young, the 

 camera was fixed up and a record taken, and perhaps the parent 

 bird was snapped as she came or he c.^me back to the nest. The 

 collector of oboriginal remains was continually on the outlook for 

 any indications of native occupation. 



-A Friend in Need. — 

 At last the party reached Coffin's Bay homestead, one of the 

 many properties owned by Mr. ]\Iortlock, and our people were 

 fortunate to find the owner there, for by Mr. Mortlock's generosity 

 in placing a boat at their disposal they were enabled to visit an 

 island in the bay, where many ob.1ects of interest came under the 

 scientists' notice. The party returned to Wangary that night, well 

 satisfied with their day's work. 



—The Back Trail.— 



Next day the malle brumbies were yoked up. and after a little 

 persuasion got off the mark and headed for Marble Range. Just 

 luider the most southerly end of this bold pile of rocks the ornitho- 

 logists struck a rich spot, foi" it appeared as though many species 

 of birds had congregated under the sheltered side of the range to 

 build their nests and rear their young. Here among an undis- 

 turbed natural flora rare birds allowed photographs and observa- 

 tions to be taken of them in the act of nidification, and showed but 

 little or no fear. The party were loth to leave so lovely and so 

 rich a spot in ornithological material, but it was imperative to 

 reach the main camp by dark, so with regi'et our feathered friends 

 were left alone in their secluded spot to enjoy a brief period till 

 the axe, fire, and scrub roller come their way with the ever-des- 



