J22 Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union. T Emu 



the Tuesday, and Dr. Cleland still found plenty of the malarial 

 mosquito pests available. 



The return journey was commenced at 1.30 p.m. on 2nd 

 December, and at the small Overland Corner Dr. Cleland was 

 dropped, he purposing to strike across country.* Going right 

 ahead, Waikerie was called on at 7.30 o'clock, just as hot winds 

 were travelling across its sand. These fruit-growing settlements 

 probably have a future, but it certainly will not do for prospective 

 settlers to see them first while a dust-storm is raging. 



The night was spent at Boggy Flat, and Morgan regained at 

 mid-day on the Wednesday. Further good pace was made in the 

 afternoon, and the evening halt called at Nortel. It was a calm, 

 soft night, and, while a young moon did its best to beautify the 

 river, Dr. Leach lectured to an interested assemblage on the 

 general aspects of Australian bird-hfe. Quite an animated dis- 

 cussion followed, and the lecturer was accorded a vote of thanks. 

 A " below-stairs " address on "Radium" later was not so 

 successful. 



The looked-for cool change came up on Thursday, a sharp, 

 cold hailstorm occurring before mid-day. Some time was lost by 

 a boat overturning when aborigines came on board with 

 Cockatoos, but after that there was no stoppage till Mourkain, 

 near Foster, was reached. There Mr. D. Hutchinson received the 

 party hospitably. He has some fine fossil cliffs and swamp lands, 

 and the reservation of the latter should give a home to thousands 

 of birds. Crested Grebes nest there freely. 



From that onward the only noteworthy stoppage was at a point 

 between Mannum and Murray Bridge, at mid-day on Friday. 

 This was the occasion of felicitous speeches. Mr. Mattingley 

 proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the skipper of the Arcadia, 

 Capt. Wolters, for his able management of the trip, and presented 

 him with a signed chart of the river. Mr. J. W. Mellor seconded 

 the motion, which was carried and responded to. A special vote 

 of thanks was also accorded Capt. S. A. White for his good 

 services, and the ladies' general thanks were expressed by Mrs. 

 J. F. Mellor and Mr. Runge. So the excursion terminated on 

 Friday, 5th December. Results had been hampered by no one 

 having a first-hand knowledge of the best stopping-places, by 

 the weather being too hot, and the time of the year too late ; but 

 nevertheless the 200-mile trip had been productive of a profitable 

 and pleasant time. 



Birds Identified, Lower Murray Excursion, 

 December, 1913. 



By (Capt.) S. A. White, M.B.O.U., &c. 



Note. — ^The following fist is in the order of the R.A.O.U. 

 " Check-list," and according to special request made in The Emu 



* See separate account, p. 129. 



