THE BUSH HUT 29 



a Kookaburra, but obtained convincing evidence of 

 the bird's good offices in this direction. 



Reptiles were not particularly abundant in the 

 Valley, but many were seen, and some killed, in the 

 course of several years. That the hut, at times, har- 

 boured snakes was proved by the despairing squeaks 

 of captured mice, heard in the stillness of night. 



KOOKABURRA NESTLING. 



Sunny spots on the hillside were likely places for 

 snakes, and it was well to go warily through long grass. 

 A swamp some miles from Olinda Vale was infested by 

 venomous snakes (it may be so still), but it was far 

 out of our beat, and did not cause the least concern. 

 We found that snakes, as a rule, are anxious to avoid 

 an encounter with man. 



The order Lacertilia was represented by several 

 species, notably the Blue-tongued Lizard [Tiliqua 



