VoKXiii.j Barnard, Visit to Torilla Plains. gi 



Hill, soon reached Rockhampton. The Razorback is so steep 

 that a powerful rack engine is used to assist the ordinary engine 

 both in ascent and descent. 



The next portion of the journey was by coach, and at 6.45 a.m. 

 the " Royal Mail " left the P.O. with a large and miscellaneous 

 load, on which the several passengers perched. The first day's 

 stage was safely accomplished, but that night it rained heavily, 

 and, as the country was already streaming with water, fears were 

 entertained as to to-morrow's progress. These expectations were 

 realized when, at about 10 a.m., we reached Tilpal Station and 

 found Tilpal Creek, a large tidal creek, flowing in a swift, broad 

 stream, some feet over the bridge. The delay was most irksome, 

 especially as I could find nothing of oological or ornithological 

 interest in the vicinity ; but fortunately there was no more rain, 

 and after a delay of a day and a half the creek had fallen 

 sufficiently to allow the coach to cross with safety. 



Torilla was reached by lunch time, and I received a warm 

 welcome from Mr. Rogers, who at once began planning excursions 

 for the remainder of the week. Torilla Plains takes its name from 

 the large plain (most probably at some remote period an arm 

 of the sea) which extends for about 18 miles, by an average width 

 of 4 or 5 miles, through the middle of the property, an island 

 (aboriginal name, torilla) a few acres in size rising in the middle 

 of the plain. After a good, wet season the plain is covered with 

 water, varying in depth from 3 or 4 feet to as many inches, but 

 the greater depth obtains at the northern end, where one or two 

 mangrove creeks drain into the sea. Rushes grow thickly in the 

 deeper water and in some of the arms or indentations, which 

 extend in some cases for perhaps half a mile, and over the greater 

 part of the plain the water couch-grass flourishes, making wading 

 extremely difficult. After the water dries off the plain is a 

 valuable grazing pasture ; stock thrive and fatten on the marine 

 herbs and grasses, which possess great fattening properties. 

 Naturally, birds were present in great numbers, although I was 

 assured that three and four years ago there were fully treble the 

 present number. 



Tuesday, the nth of March, was a red letter day for me. After 

 a short ride through one of the stock paddocks, we turned our 

 attention to the plain. The horses were well used to the work, 

 and splashed steadily along, often almost swimming, but never 

 ceasing to reach out for a mouthful of the profusely-growing 

 couch-grass. In a shallow part we came upon a good number of 

 White-headed Stilts {Hiinantopus Icucocephalus), and a short 

 search soon revealed two or three nests, one containing three 

 eggs. Pushing through the reeds, out of which in all directions 

 Pied Geese {Anseranas melanoleuca) were rising from their nests, 

 we came upon an This colony. There were dozens of these nests 

 (of two species), built of reeds firmly and neatly plastered 

 together, and anchored securely to the ground. Often several 

 were joined together, forming a platform of irregular shape. I 



